Ilkka Syvänne - Gordian III and Philip the Arab: The Roman Empire at a Crossroads

Gordian III and Philip the Arab

For my wife Sini, and children Ari and Nanna for their patience

The Roman Empire at a Crossroads

Dr. Ilkka Syvnne

He [Gordian III] is a light-hearted lad, handsome, winning, agreeable to everyone, merry in his life, eminent in letters; in nothing, indeed, save his age was he unqualified for empire all the people said Gordian was their darling. And, indeed Philip, after he had killed him, did not remove his portraits or throw down his statues or erase his name, but always called him divine.

Julius Capitolinus, Historia Augusta, Gordiani Tres 31.47, tr. by Magie p.441.

Next there will suddenly govern a purple-loving spearman shining forth from Syria, a terrible Ares, and with his son, a Caesar, he will ravage the whole earth.

Oracula Sibyllina describing the beginning of the reign of

Philip the Arab, tr. by York, p.52

First published in Great Britain in 2021 by

Pen & Sword Military

An imprint of

Pen & Sword Books Ltd

Yorkshire Philadelphia

Copyright Dr. Ilkka Syvnne 2021

ISBN 978 1 52678 675 3

eISBN 978 1 52678 676 0

Mobi ISBN 978 1 52678 678 4

The right of Dr. Ilkka Syvnne to be identified as Author of this work has been asserted by him in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.

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F irst of all, I would like to thank the Commissioning Editor Philip Sidnell for accepting the book proposal. He also deserves a big thank you for his patience. Special thanks are also due to Matt Jones, Barnaby Blacker, marketing, and other staff at Pen & Sword for their stellar work and for the outstanding support they give the author. I would also like to thank my friends and family for their support and patience. Any mistakes are the sole responsibility of the author.

1. A coin of Julia Maesa. Source: Bernoulli.

2. A coin of Julia Mamaea. Source: Bernoulli.

3. Orbiana. Source: Bernoulli.

46. Alexander Severus depicted in three coins at different points in his life. Source: Bernoulli.

78. Maximinus Thrax depicted in two coins. Source: Bernoulli.

9. Maximinus Thrax and his son Maximus.Source: Bernoulli.

10. A coin of Gordian I. Source: Bernoulli.

11. A coin of Gordian II. Source: Bernoulli.

12. A coin of Balbinus. Source: Bernoulli.

13. A coin of Pupienus. Source: Bernoulli.

14. A coin of Furia Sabina Tranquillina, wife of Gordian III and daughter of Timesitheus. Source: Bernoulli.

15. A coin of Gordian III. Source: Bernoulli.

16. A coin of Philip the Arab. Source: Bernoulli.

17. A coin of Otacilia Severa, wife of Philip the Arab. Source: Bernoulli.

1819. A coin of Alexander Severus. With the kind permission of ancientcointraders.com .

20. A coin of Alexander Severus. With the kind permission of ancientcointraders.com .

21. A coin of Philip the Arab Source: Bernoulli.

2223. A coin of Jotapianus, usurper under Philip. Source: Delaroche.

2425. A coin of Pacatianus, usurper under Philip. Source: Delaroche.

2627. A coin of Philip Jr. Source: Delaroche.

2829. A coin of Philip the Arab. Source: Delaroche.

3031. A coin of Philip the Arab, Philip Jr. and Otacilia. Source: Delaroche.

3233. Two sculptures depicting the emperor Alexander Severus. Source of the photos: Bernoulli.

34. A coin depicting Alexander Severus and Julia Mamaea. Source: Bernoulli.

35. A bust of Alexander Severus. Source: Bernoulli.

3637. A bust of Julia Mamaea, mother of Alexander, Vatican. Source. Bernoulli.

3839. A possible bust of Orbiana, wife of Alexander. Louvre. Source. Bernoulli.

4041. A bust of Maximinus Thrax. Source: Bernoulli

4243. A bust of Pupienus, Bracchio Nuovo. Source. Bernoulli.

44. A statue of Pupienus, Louvre. Source: Bernoulli

45. A bust of Balbinus, Vatican. Source: Bernoulli

46. A bust of Gordian III, Villa Albani. Source: Bernoulli.

47. A coin of Philip Sr., Otacilia, and Philip Jr. Source: Bernoulli.

4849. A bust of Gordian III from two angles, Louvre. Source: Bernoulli.

5051. A bust of Philip the Arab, Berlin. Source: Bernoulli.

5253. A bust of Philip the Arab, Bracchio Nuovo. Source: Bernoulli.

54. A bust of Marcia Otacilia Severa, wife of Philip the Arab, Munich. Source: Bernoulli.

55. A bust of Philip Jr., Capitol. Source: Bernoulli.

5657. A bust of Marcia Otacilia Severa, wife of Philip the Arab, Brutish Museum. Source: Bernoulli.

58. A bust of Philip the Arab, Louvre. Source: Bernoulli.

59. A bust of Decius. Source: Bernoulli.

60. A Bronze head of Alexander Severus. Ophelia 2, Wikimedia Commons.

61. A statue of Balbinus. Picture Giovanni DallOrto/Wikimedia Commons.

62. Authors painting of Maximinus Thrax.

63. A coin of Gordian III. Source: Bernoulli.

64. A bust of Pupienus. Public domain/Wikimedia Commons/user Jastrow.

65. A bust of Gordian I, Jastrow/Wikimedia Commons.

66. A bust of Gordian III. Photograph Marie-Lan Nguyen /Wikimedia Commons (user Jastrow).

67. A bust of Gordian. Public domain/Wikimedia Commons/user Slick.

68. Authors painting of Philip the Arab.

69. Authors painting of Philip the Arab (Hermitage).

70. Authors drawing of Alexander Severus.

71. Authors drawing of Philip the Arab.

72. Authors drawing of two men belonging to the argyroaspides and chrysoaspides or Alexander Severus.

73. Authors drawing depicting a hypothetical battle scene between Sapor I and Caesar Augustus Gordianus III.

The principal legionary bases and headquarters in about 238

Western Half of the Roman Empire

Eastern Half of the Roman Empire

The Balkans

Verona

City of Rome

Berbers

Roman Fortifications in North Africa

The Battle of Harzhorn in 235

Roman Naval Deployment