Marcus Julius Verus Philippus(AD ca. 204 – AD 249) Philippus was born in about AD 204 in a small town in the region of Trachonitis in south-western Syria as the son of an Arab chieftain called Marinus, who held Roman equestrian rank. He was to become known as ‘Philip the Arab’, the first man of …
Marcus Antonius Gordianus(AD 225 – AD 244) Marcus Antonius Gordianus’ mother was the daughter of Gordian I and the sister of Gordian II. This made him the grandson and nephew of the two Gordian emperors. It was the public hostility towards the successors of the Gordian emperors which brought the thirteen year old boy to …
Marcus Clodius Pupienus Maximus(AD ca. 164 – AD 238) Little is known of Pupienus background. He was in his 60’s or 70’s at the time of his accession. He was a distinguished patrician, whose career saw him become consul twice, in AD 217 and 234, and which brought him the governorships of Upper and Lower …
Decimus Caelius Calvinus Balbinus(AD ca. 170 – AD 238) The date of birth of Balbinus is not clearly known. One report points to the year AD 178, but AD 170 or 165 appear more likely dates. Balbinus was the son, either by birth or by adoption, of a high standing Roman named Caelius Calvinus (a …
Marcus Antonius GordianusSempronianus Romanus(AD ca. 192 – AD 238) The birth date of Gordian II in about AD 192. He followed a senatorial career and on this path became governor of the province of Achae and later consul. When his old father was made proconsul of Africa by emperor Maximinus he accompanied him there as …
Gaius Julius Verus Maximinus(AD ca. 173 – AD 238) Traditionally the birth of Maximinus is stated as having been either in AD 172 or 173, as was believed by the ancient historians. Today however there is some doubt if this truly was the case. It might indeed well have been that he was born as …