GORDIANUS, MARCUS ANTONIUS AFRICANUS, was a member of one of the noblest and wealthiest families of Rome, and gained unbounded popularity by the magnificence, games, and shows, with which he amused the people during his quaestorship. He was proconsul of Africa in A.D. 237, when that province rebelled against Maximin; and so popular had been his rule, that he was then saluted emperor. After much reluctance, he accepted the proffered dignity, though upwards of eighty years old, insisting only that his son should be conjoined with him in office. The two had barely been installed as emperors at Carthage, when Capelianus, a general of Maximin, hastily collecting troops, marched against them, defeating and slaying the younger in battle. His father, hearing the news of his death, strangled himself. They had scarcely enjoyed their imperial honours two months. Both the Gordians were fond of literature, and were themselves the authors of several books. They were both men of considerable accomplishments; but rather intellectual voluptuaries than able statesmen or powerful rulers.