On This Day In History: Emperor Gordian II Loses The Battle Of Carthage – On Apr 12, 238 AD

MessageToEagle.com – On April 12, 238 AD, Gordian II loses the Battle of Carthage against the forces of Numidia, an Ancient Berber kingdom in what is now Algeria and a smaller part of Tunisia, in North Africa. The Numidians were loyal to Maximinus Thrax and in this battle Gordian II is killed.

Gordian I and II were father and son, and both Emperors, supported by the Roman Senate and based in Africa Province.

The battle, which  was part of a rebellion against Roman Emperor Maximinus Thrax started by landowners who felt they had been overly and unfairly taxed.
These landowners assassinated the procurator in Thysdrus, one of the main Roman cities in Berber Africa, and called on Gordian I to be their emperor.

Gordian I marched from Thysdrus to Carthage, where news of the rebellion was welcomed. Unfortunately, Capelianus, governor of Numidia, was an enemy of the Gordians. Capelianus led the only legion in Africa, Legio III Augusta, in battle against the two emperors.

The two armies met near Carthage. Gordian II personally led his army, consisting of militiamen without military training: he was defeated and killed, and, upon learning of his son’s death, Gordian I committed suicide.

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