On This Day In History: Emperor Gordian II Loses The Battle Of Carthage – On Apr 12, 238 AD

AncientPages.com - On April 12, 238 AD, Gordian II lost the Battle of Carthage against the forces of Numidia, an ancient Berber kingdom in what is now Algeria and a minor part of Tunisia in North Africa.

The Numidians were loyal to Maximinus Thrax (Roman emperor from 235 to 238), and Gordian II was killed in this battle.

Gordian I and II were father and son and both Emperors, supported by the Roman Senate and based in Africa Province.

The battle was part of a rebellion against Maximinus Thrax and started by landowners who felt they had been overly and unfairly taxed. The landowners assassinated the procurator in Thysdrus, one of the main Roman cities in Berber Africa, and called on Gordian I to be their emperor.

Gordian I marched from Thysdrus, a small Carthaginian and Berber village, to Carthage, where news of the rebellion was welcomed.

Unfortunately, Capelianus, Numidia's governor, had many troops at his disposal, and unfortunately, he was an enemy of the Gordians. Capelianus led the only legion in Africa, Legio III Augusta, in a battle against the two emperors.

The military encounter between these two armies occurred in the vicinity of Carthage. Gordian II personally led his army, consisting of militiamen without military training.

Gordian II (c. 192 – April 238) was Roman emperor in 238 during the short time. He ruled jointly with his father, Gordian I. He died defending Carthage in a hopeless battle between his militia and the Roman legions under Capellianus.

He could not win this battle. He was defeated and killed, and upon learning of his son's death, Gordian I committed suicide.

Gordian's death did not end the Roman Senate's wish to rid themselves of Maximinus Thrax. The revolt continued later in Rome, with other emperors in power, including Gordian's grandson Gordian III (238 – 244), who was proclaimed to the rank of Caesar. By the end of 238, Gordian III would be widely recognized as the youngest sole emperor of the Roman world.

Interestingly, Legio III Augusta was later disbanded by Gordian III because Capelianus misused the legion to attack Gordian. Initially, the Legio III Augusta was placed in Africa to ensure a regular grain supply to Rome.

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