Battle of Carthage (238): Difference between revisions
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==Background== |
==Background== |
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Gordian I and II were father and son, both supported by the [[Roman Senate]] and based in [[Africa (Roman province)|Africa Province]]. The battle was part of a rebellion against Emperor Maximinus Thrax started by landowners who felt they had been overly and unfairly taxed. These landowners assassinated the [[Procurator (Roman fiscal)|procurator]] in [[Thysdrus]] and called on Gordian I to be their |
Gordian I and II were father and son, both supported by the [[Roman Senate]] and based in [[Africa (Roman province)|Africa Province]]. The battle was part of a rebellion against Emperor Maximinus Thrax started by landowners who felt they had been overly and unfairly taxed. These landowners assassinated the [[Procurator (Roman fiscal)|procurator]] in [[Thysdrus]] and called on Gordian I and his son Gordian II to be their emperors. <ref name="The Revolution of A.D 238">{{cite book|last1=Townsend|first1=Prescott|title=The revolution of A.D. 238: the leaders and their aims|publisher=Yale Classical Studies|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=rgScXwAACAAJ&dq=The+revolution+of+A.D.+238:+the+leaders+and+their+aims&hl=en&sa=X&ei=Qa82VKiuBNCoyAST_YCQBQ&ved=0CB8Q6AEwAA|accessdate=9 October 2014}}</ref> |
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Capelianus was the governor of Numidia who had a previous grudge against Gordian I according to Herodian. Herodian says this grudge was developed after a lawsuit involving the two. Soon after being elected emperor, Gordian I sent a replacement to Numidia to replace his old enemy Capelianus. This action would eventually lead to his untimely demise.<ref name="Gordian Emperors">{{cite web|last1=Wasson|first1=Donald|title=Gordian Emperors|url=http://www.ancient.eu/Gordian_Emperors/|website=Ancient.eu|publisher=Ancient History Encyclopedia|accessdate=16 October 2014}}</ref> |
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==The Battle== |
==The Battle== |
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Gordian I marched from Thysdrus to Carthage, where news of the rebellion was welcomed.<ref name="Meckler" /> [[Capelianus]], governor of [[Numidia]] and enemy of the Gordians, led the only legion in Africa, [[Legio III Augusta|Legio III ''Augusta'']], in battle against the two emperors.<ref>{{cite book | last = Brent| first = Allen| authorlink = | coauthors = | title = Cyprian and Roman Carthage| publisher = Cambridge University Press| series = | volume = | edition = | year = 2010| location = New York| pages = 118| language = | url = http://books.google.com/books?id=pGAThuzyVXcC&pg=PA118&lpg=PA118&dq=Legio+III+Augusta+at+carthage&source=bl&ots=QJeYEzQuug&sig=zbJehkqdwqsLxdLBpPB16BnXNqM&hl=en&sa=X&ei=4n4ZUJ7fJ8Tl0QHF84CIBQ&ved=0CDkQ6AEwAzgK#v=onepage&q=Legio%20III%20Augusta%20at%20carthage&f=false| doi = | id = | isbn = | mr = | zbl = | jfm = }}</ref> |
Gordian I marched from Thysdrus to Carthage, where news of the rebellion was welcomed.<ref name="Meckler" /> [[Capelianus]], governor of [[Numidia]] and enemy of the Gordians, led the only legion in Africa, [[Legio III Augusta|Legio III ''Augusta'']], in battle against the two emperors.<ref>{{cite book | last = Brent| first = Allen| authorlink = | coauthors = | title = Cyprian and Roman Carthage| publisher = Cambridge University Press| series = | volume = | edition = | year = 2010| location = New York| pages = 118| language = | url = http://books.google.com/books?id=pGAThuzyVXcC&pg=PA118&lpg=PA118&dq=Legio+III+Augusta+at+carthage&source=bl&ots=QJeYEzQuug&sig=zbJehkqdwqsLxdLBpPB16BnXNqM&hl=en&sa=X&ei=4n4ZUJ7fJ8Tl0QHF84CIBQ&ved=0CDkQ6AEwAzgK#v=onepage&q=Legio%20III%20Augusta%20at%20carthage&f=false| doi = | id = | isbn = | mr = | zbl = | jfm = }}</ref> |
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The two armies met near [[Carthage]]. Gordian II personally led his army, consisting of militiamen without military training: he was defeated and killed, and, upon learning of his son's death, [[Gordian I]] committed suicide.<ref name="Meckler">{{cite web | last = Meckler| first = Michael A.| authorlink = | coauthors = | title = Gordian I (238 A.D.)| work = Die Imperatoribus Romanis| publisher = Salve Regina University| date = 26 June 2001| url = http://www.roman-emperors.org/gordo1.htm| doi = | accessdate = 1 August 2012}}</ref> |
The two armies met near [[Carthage]]. Gordian II personally led his army, consisting of militiamen without military training: he was defeated and killed, and, upon learning of his son's death, [[Gordian I]] committed suicide.<ref name="Meckler">{{cite web | last = Meckler| first = Michael A.| authorlink = | coauthors = | title = Gordian I (238 A.D.)| work = Die Imperatoribus Romanis| publisher = Salve Regina University| date = 26 June 2001| url = http://www.roman-emperors.org/gordo1.htm| doi = | accessdate = 1 August 2012}}</ref> The father and son's reign lasted a total of 28 days. <ref name="Sasanian Rock Relief">{{cite journal|last1=Levit-Tawil|first1=Dalia|title=The Sasanian Rock Relief at Darabgird-A Re-Evaluation|journal=Journal of Near Eastern Studies|date=July 1992|volume=51|issue=No. 3|page=13|pages=161-180|url=http://www.jstor.org/stable/545542}}</ref> |
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==Lasting effects== |
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With the death of the two Gordians the Roman senate elected two new emperors that were not popular with the public. The senate then decided to turn to the 13 year old Goridan III to become the new Caesar.<ref name="Gordian Emperors">{{cite web|last1=Wasson|first1=Donald|title=Gordian Emperors|url=http://www.ancient.eu/Gordian_Emperors/|website=Ancient.eu|publisher=Ancient History Encyclopedia|accessdate=16 October 2014}}</ref><ref name="Meckler">{{cite web | last = Meckler| first = Michael A.| authorlink = | coauthors = | title = Gordian I (238 A.D.)| work = Die Imperatoribus Romanis| publisher = Salve Regina University| date = 26 June 2001| url = http://www.roman-emperors.org/gordo1.htm| doi = | accessdate = 1 August 2012}}</ref> |
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==References== |
==References== |
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{{Reflist}} |
{{Reflist}} |
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3. <ref name="The Revolution of A.D 238">{{cite book|last1=Townsend|first1=Prescott|title=The revolution of A.D. 238: the leaders and their aims|publisher=Yale Classical Studies|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=rgScXwAACAAJ&dq=The+revolution+of+A.D.+238:+the+leaders+and+their+aims&hl=en&sa=X&ei=Qa82VKiuBNCoyAST_YCQBQ&ved=0CB8Q6AEwAA|accessdate=9 October 2014}}</ref> |
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{{coord missing|Tunisia}} |
{{coord missing|Tunisia}} |
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Revision as of 03:06, 16 October 2014
| Battle of Carthage | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| |||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||
| Numidian forces loyal to Roman Emperor Maximinus Thrax | Forces of Gordian I and Gordian II | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Cappelianus | Gordian II † | ||||||
| Strength | |||||||
|
one legion other veteran units | larger army of untrained militia | ||||||
The Battle of Carthage was fought in 238 AD between a Roman army loyal to Emperor Maximinus Thrax and the forces of Emperors Gordian I and Gordian II.
Background
Gordian I and II were father and son, both supported by the Roman Senate and based in Africa Province. The battle was part of a rebellion against Emperor Maximinus Thrax started by landowners who felt they had been overly and unfairly taxed. These landowners assassinated the procurator in Thysdrus and called on Gordian I and his son Gordian II to be their emperors. [1]
Capelianus was the governor of Numidia who had a previous grudge against Gordian I according to Herodian. Herodian says this grudge was developed after a lawsuit involving the two. Soon after being elected emperor, Gordian I sent a replacement to Numidia to replace his old enemy Capelianus. This action would eventually lead to his untimely demise.[2]
The Battle
Gordian I marched from Thysdrus to Carthage, where news of the rebellion was welcomed.[3] Capelianus, governor of Numidia and enemy of the Gordians, led the only legion in Africa, Legio III Augusta, in battle against the two emperors.[4]
The two armies met near Carthage. Gordian II personally led his army, consisting of militiamen without military training: he was defeated and killed, and, upon learning of his son's death, Gordian I committed suicide.[3] The father and son's reign lasted a total of 28 days. [5]
Lasting effects
With the death of the two Gordians the Roman senate elected two new emperors that were not popular with the public. The senate then decided to turn to the 13 year old Goridan III to become the new Caesar.[2][3]
References
- ^ Townsend, Prescott. The revolution of A.D. 238: the leaders and their aims. Yale Classical Studies. Retrieved 9 October 2014.
- ^ a b Wasson, Donald. "Gordian Emperors". Ancient.eu. Ancient History Encyclopedia. Retrieved 16 October 2014.
- ^ a b c Meckler, Michael A. (26 June 2001). "Gordian I (238 A.D.)". Die Imperatoribus Romanis. Salve Regina University. Retrieved 1 August 2012.
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ Brent, Allen (2010). Cyprian and Roman Carthage. New York: Cambridge University Press. p. 118.
{{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ Levit-Tawil, Dalia (July 1992). "The Sasanian Rock Relief at Darabgird-A Re-Evaluation". Journal of Near Eastern Studies. 51 (No. 3): 13.
{{cite journal}}:|issue=has extra text (help); More than one of|pages=and|page=specified (help)
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