Gordian III

The Regime of a Boy Emperor

Bertolazzi, Riccardo

The reign of Gordian III stands out as an anomaly in the turbulent history of the Third Century. He ascended to the throne at the young age of 13 or 14 in 238 and ruled until 244, during which time he maintained the loyalty of the army, collaborated with the Senate, and garnered the favour of the Roman people. Understanding how he achieved this is challenging. The limited literary sources which discuss this period portray Gordian’s reign in highly favourable terms but lack details on how he exercised his power. Fortunately, an analysis of epigraphic and numismatic sources offers a more nuanced perspective, suggesting that the emperor primarily ruled with the support of his council. It is remarkable to see how this regime managed to maintain a degree of stability and effectively manage propaganda, ultimately leaving history with the impression of a courageous and enlightened emperor.