en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maximinus_Thrax
1 correction found
leading to the successive proclamation of Gordian I, Gordian II, Pupienus, Balbinus, and Gordian III as emperors in opposition to Maximinus.
This is inaccurate because Gordian III was not proclaimed emperor against Maximinus. He was appointed Caesar during the revolt and only became sole Augustus after Pupienus and Balbinus were killed later in 238.
Full reasoning
The contemporary historian Herodian says that when Pupienus and Balbinus were chosen, the crowd demanded a Gordian, so the senate "appointed him caesar, since he was not old enough to be emperor"—that is, Gordian III was made Caesar, not emperor, while Maximinus was still alive.
A modern synthesis from De Imperatoribus Romanis gives the standard chronology for 238: Gordian I and II were proclaimed emperors in March; Pupienus and Balbinus were proclaimed emperors on April 22, 238; Maximinus was assassinated on June 24, 238; and only later, on July 29, 238, were Pupienus and Balbinus killed and Gordian III proclaimed sole Augustus.
So Gordian III should not be listed among the emperors proclaimed in opposition to Maximinus. During that phase he was Caesar; he became emperor only after Maximinus was already dead.
2 sources
- Herodian 7.10 - Livius
[7.10.9] The senate appointed him caesar, since he was not old enough to be emperor.
- Roman Emperors - DIR Pupienus and Balbinus
The present consensus among historians assigns the following dates... April 22nd Pupienus and Balbinus were proclaimed Emperors; June 24th Maximinus and his son were assassinated... July 29th Pupienus and Balbinus were assassinated and Gordian III proclaimed as sole Augustus.