gordians

Updated: June 2, 2025

Carthage, destitute of defence, opened her gates to the conqueror, and Africa was exposed to the rapacious cruelty of a slave, obliged to satisfy his unrelenting master with a large account of blood and treasure. The fate of the Gordians filled Rome with just but unexpected terror.

Edward Gibbon - History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire — Volume 1

The consciousness of that melancholy truth, inspires a degree of persevering fury, seldom to be found in those civil wars which are artificially supported for the benefit of a few factious and designing leaders. For while the cause of the Gordians was embraced with such diffusive ardor, the Gordians themselves were no more.

Edward Gibbon - History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire — Volume 1

The grateful intelligence of the death of the Gordians was quickly followed by the assurance that the senate, laying aside all hopes of pardon or accommodation, had substituted in their room two emperors, with whose merit he could not be unacquainted. Revenge was the only consolation left to Maximin, and revenge could only be obtained by arms.

Edward Gibbon - History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire — Volume 1

In one year we find Alexandrian coins of Maximin and his son Maximus, with those of the two Gordians, who for a few weeks reigned in Carthage, and in the next year we again have coins of Maximin and Maximus, with those of Balbinus and Pupienus, and of Gordianus Pius.

A. S. (Angelo Solomon) Rappoport - History of Egypt From 330 B.C. To the Present Time, Volume 11 (of 12)

The enthusiasm of liberty was seconded by the promise of a large donative, in lands and money; the statues of Maximin were thrown down; the capital of the empire acknowledged, with transport, the authority of the two Gordians and the senate; and the example of Rome was followed by the rest of Italy.

Edward Gibbon - History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire — Volume 1

The birth and noble alliances of the Gordians had intimately connected them with the most illustrious houses of Rome. Their fortune had created many dependants in that assembly, their merit had acquired many friends. Their mild administration opened the flattering prospect of the restoration, not only of the civil but even of the republican government.

Edward Gibbon - History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire — Volume 1

"We have lost," continued he, "two excellent princes; but unless we desert ourselves, the hopes of the republic have not perished with the Gordians. Many are the senators whose virtues have deserved, and whose abilities would sustain, the Imperial dignity.

Edward Gibbon - History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire — Volume 1

The two Gordians, who commanded in Africa, were set up by the senate against the new emperor; and the consternation of that body must have been great, when these champions were immediately overthrown and killed.

Thomas De Quincey - The Caesars