Balbinus

Balbinus was a Roman senator and emperor during the political crisis known as the Year of the Six Emperors in 238 CE. He came from the senatorial aristocracy and had held high civil and provincial offices before the Senate chose him, together with Pupienus, to oppose the emperor Maximinus Thrax. Their elevation reflected the Senate’s attempt to regain political initiative after supporting the short-lived revolt of Gordian I and Gordian II in Africa.

Balbinus and Pupienus were joint emperors, but their authority was fragile from the outset. The popular young Gordian III had to be made Caesar, and the Praetorian Guard deeply resented senators who appeared to challenge its power. After Maximinus was killed by his own troops, tension between the co-emperors and within Rome continued. In July 238 Praetorians seized Balbinus and Pupienus, tortured and killed them, leaving Gordian III as sole emperor.

Harry Sidebottom’s Blood and Steel shows the senatorial resistance to Maximinus Thrax hardening into a constitutional and military crisis in which Rome must find emperors of its own. Fire and Sword then brings Balbinus directly to the centre of that crisis: after the Gordians are defeated, he and Pupienus are raised by the Senate while Maximinus marches on Italy and the young Gordian III attracts popular support. Sidebottom uses the uneasy partnership between Balbinus and Pupienus, and the hostility of the Praetorian Guard, to show why the defeat of one claimant could not restore stability during the Year of the Six Emperors.