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.
Battle of Carthage | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Portrait of Gordian II on a denarius. | |||||||
| |||||||
Belligerents | |||||||
Numidian forces loyal to Maximinus Thrax |
Forces of Gordian I and Gordian II | ||||||
Commanders and leaders | |||||||
Capelianus | Gordian II † | ||||||
Strength | |||||||
one legion other veteran units |
larger army of untrained militia |
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.[2]
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.[3]
Gordian I marched from Thysdrus to Carthage, where news of the rebellion was welcomed.[4] Capelianus led the only legion in Africa, Legio III Augusta, in battle against the two emperors.[5]
The two armies met near Carthage. Gordian II personally led his army, consisting of militiamen without military training: he was defeated and killed. Upon learning of his son's death, Gordian I committed suicide.[4]
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 Gordian III to become the new Caesar.[3][4]