Coin, Gordian III, Antoninianus
240 - Roma - VF(30-35) - Billon - RIC:86
Vendida
2.5 gr.
Gordian III
- Reign over Roman Empire (Western and Byzantine): AD 238–244
- Period: Crisis of the Third Century
Originally from Anatolia (Asia Minor), Marcus Antonius Gordianus was born in January 225 and died at Circesium in Mesopotamia (modern-day Al-Busayrah in Syria) in 244. He was scarcely 19 years of age and reigned over the empire for just 6 years.
Gordian III was but 13 years old when he was thrust to power by the citizens of Rome. The Empire then faced internal revolts and felt strong pressures at its borders, in particular that of the Parthians in the East. His reign fell in the middle of the Crisis of the Third Century, also known as the “Military Anarchy”, during which tyrants and emperors succeeded one another at a terrific rate from the death of Alexander Severus, assassinated in 235, until the arrival of Diocletian in 284.
Picture: Bust of Gordian III, The Staatliche Museen’s Collection of Classical Antiquities, Altes Museum, Berlin - Picture taken by Marcus Cyron (CC)
