Graham, Alexander: Roman Africa: an outline of the history of the Roman occupation of North Africa ; based chiefly upon inscriptions and monumental remains in that country (London [u.a.], 1902)

Africa under the Gordians

223

conferred upon Antoninus Gordianus this coveted distinction,
and we are told by Capitolinus that as soon as the Emperor
heard of the appointment he wrote to the conscript fathers,
' You could not do anything more agreeable or more pleasant to
me than to send to Africa as proconsul so good a man, noble,
just, enlightened, and temperate in all things.' Such was the
reputation of the man who saved the Empire in a day of peril,
and, with some little hesitation excusable in a veteran then
entering upon his eightieth year, gave up the quiet enjoyments
of provincial life at the call of his country. It appears that
Gordian was residing at some country retreat near Thysdrus
in Africa Provincia at the time when Capellianus, as the ally of
Maximinus, was inciting the native races to revolt, and we
learn from contemporary writers that Gordian was proclaimed
Cassar Imperator by the army of Africa in that remote town.1
Gordian then proceeded to Carthage in state to receive the
congratulations of its citizens, and from thence despatched
messengers to Rome announcing his acceptance of imperial
power. But the joy of the Senate at the prospect of relief
from the cruelties of Maximinus was short-lived, for the troops
of Gordian were vanquished by the irregular army under
Capellianus, and the eldest son of the Emperor, associated with
him as Caesar, was killed. The shock was greater than the aged
Gordian could endure. His brain became affected, and in a fit
of despair he committed suicide. Great was the consternation
of the Senate, presided over by Flavius Valens, who was subse-
quently created Emperor with his brother Valentinian. Maxi-
minus was at that time encamped at Aquileia with a large army,
making preparations for a triumphal entry into Rome, and in a
few weeks the fate of the Empire might be sealed, and a reign
of military despotism begun. To meet the urgency of the
situation, two senators of consular rank and mature years were
selected to guard the national interests. One of them, named
Marcus Clodius Pupienus Maximus, who had considerable
military experience, was sent to Aquileia to give battle to
Maximinus ; the other, named Decimus Caslius Calvinus Bal-
binus, a man of noble birth and of tried capacity in administra-
tive affairs, was to remain in Rome as the guardian of the

1 Gordian I. received the title of Africanus when he was saluted as Emperor at
Thysdrus and taken in triumph to Carthage to be formally proclaimed.