DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.18096#0293
Africa under the Gordians
225
the earlier days of the Republic a pontifex maximus, as head of
the college of priests, was not permitted to set foot out of Italy,
but as soon as the Emperors assumed a right to the title this
restriction was withdrawn. Julius Caesar set the example by
making an expedition into the province of Gaul after his
acceptance from the Senate of this high office. It may be
observed that Valentinian II., at the close of the fourth century,
was the last of the Emperors to retain the dignity of chief
pontiff, and that it remained in abeyance till its assumption by
the Christian Bishops of Rome.
The few months' rule of these two high-minded senators,
who succeeded in ridding the world of the tyrant Maximinus
and securing tranquil succession to the youthful Gordian, is
marked by several incidents affecting the interests of Roman
Africa. Fortune for the moment favoured the army despatched
from Rome to arrest the progress of the usurping Emperor in
his march towards the capital. Maximinus was slain by his
own rebellious soldiers, and the troubles of the Empire seem to
have terminated. Had Maximinus been successful in his
campaign, all Africa would have been in arms, subjecting the
country to a long course of barbarity and the many evils
inseparable from irregular warfare. In the days of the great
Republic, and under the Caesars till the time of Septimius
Severus, the authority of the Senate representing the interests
of the Empire would have asserted itself whenever dissensions
at home or abroad endangered the State. But the old order of
things had passed away. The army was no longer the loyal
servant of the Senate, but its exacting master ; and the will of
the Praetorians, prepared for any emergency, was irresistible.
The citizens of Rome disputed their authority, troubles ensued,
and ultimately Pupienus and Balbinus were sacrificed to the
fury of the soldiers. The names of both these Emperors are
now almost forgotten in the long array of Caesars of the third
century ; but the part they played in the Gordian drama, and
their loyalty to their country in the hour of distress, entitled
them to a more honourable place than time has accorded them.
Such was the state of affairs when Gordian III., at the age
of sixteen, was raised to the purple. Possessing all the charms
maximus. According to Orelli, Gratian was the last of the Emperors to use this
title.
Q
225
the earlier days of the Republic a pontifex maximus, as head of
the college of priests, was not permitted to set foot out of Italy,
but as soon as the Emperors assumed a right to the title this
restriction was withdrawn. Julius Caesar set the example by
making an expedition into the province of Gaul after his
acceptance from the Senate of this high office. It may be
observed that Valentinian II., at the close of the fourth century,
was the last of the Emperors to retain the dignity of chief
pontiff, and that it remained in abeyance till its assumption by
the Christian Bishops of Rome.
The few months' rule of these two high-minded senators,
who succeeded in ridding the world of the tyrant Maximinus
and securing tranquil succession to the youthful Gordian, is
marked by several incidents affecting the interests of Roman
Africa. Fortune for the moment favoured the army despatched
from Rome to arrest the progress of the usurping Emperor in
his march towards the capital. Maximinus was slain by his
own rebellious soldiers, and the troubles of the Empire seem to
have terminated. Had Maximinus been successful in his
campaign, all Africa would have been in arms, subjecting the
country to a long course of barbarity and the many evils
inseparable from irregular warfare. In the days of the great
Republic, and under the Caesars till the time of Septimius
Severus, the authority of the Senate representing the interests
of the Empire would have asserted itself whenever dissensions
at home or abroad endangered the State. But the old order of
things had passed away. The army was no longer the loyal
servant of the Senate, but its exacting master ; and the will of
the Praetorians, prepared for any emergency, was irresistible.
The citizens of Rome disputed their authority, troubles ensued,
and ultimately Pupienus and Balbinus were sacrificed to the
fury of the soldiers. The names of both these Emperors are
now almost forgotten in the long array of Caesars of the third
century ; but the part they played in the Gordian drama, and
their loyalty to their country in the hour of distress, entitled
them to a more honourable place than time has accorded them.
Such was the state of affairs when Gordian III., at the age
of sixteen, was raised to the purple. Possessing all the charms
maximus. According to Orelli, Gratian was the last of the Emperors to use this
title.
Q