Battle of Carthage (238)
| 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 to be their emperor.
The Battle
Gordian I marched from Thysdrus to Carthage, where news of the rebellion was welcomed.[1] Capelianus, governor of Numidia and enemy of the Gordians, led the only legion in Africa, Legio III Augusta, in battle against the two emperors.[2]
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.[1]
References
- ^ a b 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.
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3. [1]
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- ^ Townsend, Prescott. The revolution of A.D. 238: the leaders and their aims. Yale Classical Studies. Retrieved 9 October 2014.