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{{Year of Six Emperors}}
{{Year of Six Emperors}}


'''Antonia Gordiana''' (born 201) was a prominent, wealthy, and noble Roman woman who lived in the [[Crisis of the Third Century|troubled and unstable 3rd century]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Verhaart |first=Floris |date=2022-07-03 |title=Jean-Baptiste Du Bos and the Réflexions critiques sur la poésie et sur la peinture within the context of contemporary philology and antiquarianism |journal=Intellectual History Review |volume=32 |issue=3 |pages=411–428 |doi=10.1080/17496977.2022.2097401|doi-access=free }}</ref> She was the daughter of [[Roman emperor]] [[Gordian I]], sister of Roman emperor [[Gordian II]], and mother of Roman emperor [[Gordian III]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=D’Amato |first=Raffaele |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lGCWDwAAQBAJ&dq=antonia+gordiana&pg=PT96 |title=Roman Standards & Standard-Bearers (2): AD 192–500 |date=2020-01-23 |publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing |isbn=978-1-4728-3650-2 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Navarra |first=James |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LeFqDwAAQBAJ&dq=antonia+gordiana&pg=PT45 |title=A Compendium of the Earth, and of the People of the Earth, and of the Wars They Fought |date=2018-08-17 |publisher=Balboa Press |isbn=978-1-9822-0990-2 |language=en}}</ref>
'''Antonia Gordiana''' (born 201) was a prominent, wealthy and noble Roman woman who lived in the troubled and unstable 3rd century. She was the daughter of [[Roman Emperor]] [[Gordian I]]; sister to Roman Emperor [[Gordian II]] and mother to Roman Emperor [[Gordian III]].
The ''[[Augustan History]]'' names her as ''' Maecia Faustina''', however modern historians dismiss this name as false. She was most probably born in Rome. Along with her elder brother they were raised and spent their childhoods in the house that Roman Republican General [[Pompey]] had built in [[Rome]]. Previous owners included Roman Triumvir [[Mark Antony]] and Roman Emperor [[Tiberius]].
The ''[[Augustan History]]'' names her as ''' Maecia Faustina'''; however, modern historians dismiss this name as false.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Syme |first=Ronald |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mmlfAAAAMAAJ&q=%22antonia+gordiana%22 |title=Emperors and Biography: Studies in the 'Historia Augusta'. |date=1971 |publisher=Clarendon Press |isbn=978-0-19-814357-4 |language=en}}</ref> She was most probably born in [[Rome]]. Along with her elder brother, she was raised and spent her childhood in the house that Roman Republican general [[Pompey]] had built in Rome. Previous owners included Roman [[triumvir]] [[Mark Antony]] and Roman emperor [[Tiberius]].


After 214, Gordiana married an unnamed Roman Senator. The ''Augustan History'' names her husband as [[Junius Licinius Balbus|Junius Balbus]], however modern historians dismiss this name as being incorrect. She bore her husband a son, Marcus Antonius Gordianus Pius (known as Gordian III), who was born on 20 January 225. The birth name of Gordian III is unknown as is his birthplace. The name of Gordian (as we know him) was assumed by Gordiana's son when he became Roman Emperor. Gordiana's husband died before 238.
After 214, Gordiana married a Roman [[Roman Senate|senator]] whose name is unknown. The ''Augustan History'' names her husband as Junius Balbus, however modern historians dismiss this name as being incorrect. She bore her husband a son on 20 January 225, the future emperor Marcus Antonius Gordianus Pius, or Gordian III. The birth name and birthplace of Gordian III are unknown, the name of Gordian was assumed by Gordiana's son when he became emperor. Gordiana's husband died before 238.


After the brief reigns of her father and brother, the Roman Senate in April appointed [[Balbinus]] and [[Pupienus]] as joint emperors. During the brief reign of Balbinus and Pupienus, her son became popular with Roman citizens and the joint emperors were forced to adopt her son as their heir. On 29 July 238, Balbinus and Pupienus were both murdered by the [[Praetorian Guard]] and later that day her son became the new Roman Emperor. There is a possibility that Gordiana might have bribed the Guards to murder the joint emperors, so that her son could become emperor.
After the brief reigns of her father and brother, the Roman Senate in April appointed two senators, [[Balbinus]] and [[Pupienus]], as joint emperors. During their brief reign, Gordiana's son became popular with Roman citizens and the joint emperors were forced to adopt the child as their heir. On 29 July 238, Balbinus and Pupienus were both murdered by the [[Praetorian Guard]]; later that day her son became the new emperor. There is a possibility that Gordiana might have bribed the Guards to murder the joint emperors, so that her son could become emperor.{{cn|date=June 2024}}


To keep in the favour of the [[Roman Senate]], Gordian III assumed the name of his maternal grandfather and maternal uncle. The political factions that supported Gordiana's father and brother, also supported her son. Through them, she was able to assist her son in directing affairs and together they sought to reform policies covering administration, fiscal affairs, and the Roman army. Efforts were made to limit the taxes on the Roman wealthy and notable. Attention was directed to strengthening defences along the empire's borders and Roman governors were prosecuted if they abused Roman taxes and their powers in governing the provinces.
To maintain the goodwill of the Senate, Gordian III assumed the name of his maternal grandfather and uncle. The political factions that supported Gordiana's father and brother also supported her son. Through them, she was able to assist her son in directing affairs and together they sought to reform policies covering administration, fiscal affairs, and the Roman army. Efforts were made to limit the taxes on wealthy and notable Romans. Attention was directed to strengthening defences along the empire's borders and Roman governors were prosecuted if they abused Roman taxes and their powers in governing the provinces.


In 241, her son appointed the able and efficient [[Gaius Furius Sabinius Aquila Timesitheus|Timesitheus]] as prefect of the [[Praetorian Guard]]. Later, in May of that year, Gordian married Timesitheus’ daughter [[Tranquillina]], who became Roman Empress. Timesitheus died in 243, and Gordian appointed the ambitious [[Philip the Arab]] as the new prefect. In February 244, Gordian died of unknown causes. Gordian either died in battle or was possibly murdered on the orders of Philip. Philip was then proclaimed the new emperor. Gordian III's wife and daughter survived him. The fate of Gordiana after her son's death is unknown.
In 241, her son appointed the able and efficient [[Gaius Furius Sabinius Aquila Timesitheus|Timesitheus]] as prefect of the [[Praetorian Guard]]. Later, in May of that year, Gordian married Timesitheus’ daughter [[Tranquillina]], who became Roman empress. Timesitheus died in 243, and Gordian appointed the ambitious [[Philip the Arab]] as the new prefect. In February 244, Gordian died of unknown causes. Gordian either died in battle or was possibly murdered on the orders of Philip. Philip was then proclaimed the new emperor. Gordian III's wife and daughter survived him. The fate of Gordiana after her son's death is unknown.


==Family tree==
==Family tree==
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{{tree chart| Max | | Pup | | Go1 |Max=previous<br>[[Maximinus Thrax]]<br>Roman Emperor<br>235–238|Go1=[[File:Vexilloid of the Roman Empire.svg|20px]]<br>[[Gordian I]]<br>Roman Emperor<br>238<br><small>∞ (?) Fabia Orestilla</small>|Pup=[[Pupienus]]<br>Roman Emperor<br>238}}
{{tree chart| Max | | Pup | | Go1 |Max=previous<br>[[Maximinus Thrax]]<br>Roman Emperor<br>235–238|Go1=[[File:Vexilloid of the Roman Empire.svg|20px]]<br>[[Gordian I]]<br>Roman Emperor<br>238<br><small>∞ (?) Fabia Orestilla</small>|Pup=[[Pupienus]]<br>Roman Emperor<br>238}}
{{tree chart| | | | | | | | | |)|-|-|-|.}}
{{tree chart| | | | | | | | | |)|-|-|-|.}}
{{tree chart| | | | | Bal | | Go2 | | Ant |~| JLB | | GFS | | Phi |Go2=[[File:Vexilloid of the Roman Empire.svg|20px]]<br>[[Gordian II]]<br>co-emperor<br>238|Ant=Antonia Gordiana|JLB=''(doubted)''<br>[[Junius Licinius Balbus]]<br>consul suffectus|GFS=[[Gaius Furius Sabinius Aquila Timesitheus]]<br>praetorian prefect|Phi=next<br>[[Philip the Arab]]<br>Roman Emperor<br>244–249|Bal=[[Balbinus]]<br>Roman Emperor<br>238}}
{{tree chart| | | | | Bal | | Go2 | | Ant |~| JLB | | GFS | | Phi |Go2=[[File:Vexilloid of the Roman Empire.svg|20px]]<br>[[Gordian II]]<br>co-emperor<br>238|Ant=Antonia Gordiana|JLB=''(doubted)''<br>Junius Licinius Balbus<br>consul suffectus|GFS=[[Gaius Furius Sabinius Aquila Timesitheus]]<br>praetorian prefect|Phi=next<br>[[Philip the Arab]]<br>Roman Emperor<br>244–249|Bal=[[Balbinus]]<br>Roman Emperor<br>238}}
{{tree chart| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |!| | | |!| | | |!| }}
{{tree chart| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |!| | | |!| | | |!| }}
{{tree chart| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Go3 |~| Tra | | Ph2 |Go3=[[File:Vexilloid of the Roman Empire.svg|20px]]<br>[[Gordian III]]<br>Roman Emperor<br>238|Tra=Furia Sabinia [[Tranquillina]]|Ph2=[[Philip II (Roman Emperor)|Philip II]]<br>Roman Emperor<br>co-emperor<br>247–249}}
{{tree chart| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Go3 |~| Tra | | Ph2 |Go3=[[File:Vexilloid of the Roman Empire.svg|20px]]<br>[[Gordian III]]<br>Roman Emperor<br>238|Tra=Furia Sabinia [[Tranquillina]]|Ph2=[[Philip II (Roman Emperor)|Philip II]]<br>Roman Emperor<br>co-emperor<br>247–249}}
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{{Nerva-Antonine family tree|state=collapsed}}
{{Nerva-Antonine family tree|state=collapsed}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}


==Sources==
==Sources==
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[[Category:Gordian dynasty]]
[[Category:Gordian dynasty]]
[[Category:Daughters of Roman emperors]]
[[Category:Daughters of Roman emperors]]
[[Category:Mothers of Roman emperors]]

Latest revision as of 15:31, 6 June 2024

Antonia Gordiana (born 201) was a prominent, wealthy, and noble Roman woman who lived in the troubled and unstable 3rd century.[1] She was the daughter of Roman emperor Gordian I, sister of Roman emperor Gordian II, and mother of Roman emperor Gordian III.[2][3] The Augustan History names her as Maecia Faustina; however, modern historians dismiss this name as false.[4] She was most probably born in Rome. Along with her elder brother, she was raised and spent her childhood in the house that Roman Republican general Pompey had built in Rome. Previous owners included Roman triumvir Mark Antony and Roman emperor Tiberius.

After 214, Gordiana married a Roman senator whose name is unknown. The Augustan History names her husband as Junius Balbus, however modern historians dismiss this name as being incorrect. She bore her husband a son on 20 January 225, the future emperor Marcus Antonius Gordianus Pius, or Gordian III. The birth name and birthplace of Gordian III are unknown, the name of Gordian was assumed by Gordiana's son when he became emperor. Gordiana's husband died before 238.

After the brief reigns of her father and brother, the Roman Senate in April appointed two senators, Balbinus and Pupienus, as joint emperors. During their brief reign, Gordiana's son became popular with Roman citizens and the joint emperors were forced to adopt the child as their heir. On 29 July 238, Balbinus and Pupienus were both murdered by the Praetorian Guard; later that day her son became the new emperor. There is a possibility that Gordiana might have bribed the Guards to murder the joint emperors, so that her son could become emperor.[citation needed]

To maintain the goodwill of the Senate, Gordian III assumed the name of his maternal grandfather and uncle. The political factions that supported Gordiana's father and brother also supported her son. Through them, she was able to assist her son in directing affairs and together they sought to reform policies covering administration, fiscal affairs, and the Roman army. Efforts were made to limit the taxes on wealthy and notable Romans. Attention was directed to strengthening defences along the empire's borders and Roman governors were prosecuted if they abused Roman taxes and their powers in governing the provinces.

In 241, her son appointed the able and efficient Timesitheus as prefect of the Praetorian Guard. Later, in May of that year, Gordian married Timesitheus’ daughter Tranquillina, who became Roman empress. Timesitheus died in 243, and Gordian appointed the ambitious Philip the Arab as the new prefect. In February 244, Gordian died of unknown causes. Gordian either died in battle or was possibly murdered on the orders of Philip. Philip was then proclaimed the new emperor. Gordian III's wife and daughter survived him. The fate of Gordiana after her son's death is unknown.

Family tree

[edit]
previous
Maximinus Thrax
Roman Emperor
235–238
Pupienus
Roman Emperor
238

Gordian I
Roman Emperor
238
∞ (?) Fabia Orestilla
Balbinus
Roman Emperor
238

Gordian II
co-emperor
238
Antonia Gordiana(doubted)
Junius Licinius Balbus
consul suffectus
Gaius Furius Sabinius Aquila Timesitheus
praetorian prefect
next
Philip the Arab
Roman Emperor
244–249

Gordian III
Roman Emperor
238
Furia Sabinia TranquillinaPhilip II
Roman Emperor
co-emperor
247–249

Nerva–Antonine family tree

[edit]

References

[edit]

Sources

[edit]