Gordian III AD 238-244 Silver Antoninianus Rome

Gordian III AD 238-244 Silver Antoninianus

Felicitas standing

FELICIT TEMP

21mm, 5.73g

 

Gordian III was a grandson of Gordian I and upon the death of Gordian I and Gordian II he inherited a huge fortune. Born around AD 225 Gordian III was seen as an attractive heir to the 2 elderly co emperors, Balbinus and Pupienus. Adopted Caesar upon their appointment as Augustus he was soon elevated when the 2 co emperors were murdered after only a few months

Loyal to his family Gordian III quickly cashiered Capellianus and the legion which had brought about the downfall of his family. For this act he received the title Pius which first appeared on the coinage around AD 240. In AD 241 Gordian appointed Timesitheus to the influential office of praetorian prefect. Timesitheus carefully guarded the interests of Gordian and their bond was strengthened when Gordian married his daughter Tranquillina.

In AD 242 the new king of the Sasanids, Shapur I led a massive invasion which threatened Syria and its capital Antioch. After delays on the Danube Gordian and Timesitheus led an army east where they achieved a number of victories which included the relief of Antioch. Unfortunately Timesithes then fell ill and died. In his place Gordian appointed Philip the Arab. Philip quickly set about undermining Gordian’s authority and after a short while was deposed and murdered. The army then declared Philip as emperor reasserting a dangerous prerogative in making and unmaking emperors.
Gordian’s reign saw the resumption of minting coinage at provincial mints beginning the end of Rome’s traditional monopoly. The reign also saw the last large scale minting of the denarius.