The Troubled Century : Pupienis and Balbinus

Imperator Caesar Marcus Clodius Pupienus Maximus Augustus 238 AD

Imperator Caesar Decius Caelius Calvinus Balbinus Pius Felix Augustus 238 AD

Pupienus
Born: 164 AD
Date of Accession: February 238 AD
Died: Murdered May 238 AD at Rome

Balbinus
Born: Unknown
Date of Accession: February 238 AD
Died: Murdered May 238 AD at Rome

Governors of Britannia during his reign:

• Maecilius Fuscus 238 AD

The Senate was panicked by the early demise of the Gordions – whom they had given full support to – and hurriedly sought replacements.
Continuing the proto Consular experiment they elected two of their own number to the post of joint Emperors, distinguished ex Consuls Balbinus and Pupienus. They were supported by a council of twenty, the Vigintiviri in the task of defending Italy against the predicted backlash by Maximinus.

In their attempts to defend Italy the Vigintiviri were greatly assisted by the stout defence of the city of Aquileia on the north Italian Adriatic coast. After Maximinus’s men murdered him before its walls they presented his head to Pupienus who was mustering troops at Ravenna.

On his return to Rome Pupienus was hailed a hero, however soon after Praetorian guardsmen – unhappy with the new regime - rushed the palace and seized both Emperors, murdering them shortly after in the Praetorians camp.

Here they proclaimed their own choice for Emperor; the young Gordion III.

 

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First Published April 2009