GORDIANUS I. a Roman general, was for his valour and virtues chosen emperor by the army in the reign of Maximinus, A. D. 237; but his son, whom he had associated with himself in the throne, being slain by Capelian, the governor of Mauritania for Maximinus, Gordianus Maximinus, Gordianus killed himself the same year. See ROME.

GORDIANUS III. grandson of the former, a renowned warrior, and styled The guardian of the Roman commonwealth. He was treacherously assassinated by Philippus, an Arabian, one of his generals; who, to the eternal disgrace of the Romans of that era, succeeded him in the empire, A.D. 244. See ROME.