PUPIENUS (238)

"Fortunate One" Marcus Clodius Pupienus was already over 70 years old when he was proclaimed emperor alongside Balbinus by the Senate. Both were senators. Some accounts claim his father was an artisan, while others regard his family as patrician. He pursued a military career, serving as governor of several provinces, including Germania and Asia. He was also, for a time, the prefect of the capital, earning a reputation as an effective organizer.

After the Senate's election, it seemed that the most critical and perilous duty fell to Pupienus: confronting Maximinus in battle. However, such a confrontation never occurred, as Maximinus was beheaded by his own soldiers. Pupienus was then able to return to Rome as a triumphant victor.