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Historical person
c. 190s–238
Gordian II was the son and co-emperor of Gordian I during the African revolt of AD 238. A senator with literary and administrative experience, he shared his father’s claim against Maximinus Thrax but had little opportunity to establish authority.
He led the poorly trained Carthaginian forces against Capelianus, governor of Numidia, and was killed in battle. His death caused Gordian I’s suicide, although their family name soon returned through the elevation of Gordian III. Gordian II was born in Roman Carthage.
In Harry Sidebottom’s Blood and Steel, Landowners and officials in Roman Africa proclaim the elderly Gordian I and his son Gordian II as emperors, forcing the Senate to decide whether to support them or submit to the soldier-emperor marching towards Italy.
Series
The Throne of the Caesars trilogy follows the collapse of the Severan settlement and the political violence that carried Rome from the murder of Severus Alexander in AD 235 to the Year of the Six Emperors in 238. Its viewpoint moves among emperors, soldiers, senators, provincial officials and…
All books in this series
