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Little is known about the life of Marcus Antonius Gordianus, also called Gordian III (225-244 AD), up until he reached the age of thirteen and became embroiled in the “year of the six emperors.”
In early 238 AD, Emperor Maximinus Thrax’s popularity was plummeting; he was an oppressive ruler, widely blamed for murdering his predecessor. At a revolt in the Africa province, Gordian’s grandfather (Gordian I) and uncle (Gordian II) were proclaimed co-Emperors. Just weeks later, the revolt was quelled, Gordian II was killed, and Gordian I committed suicide. The Senate then declared Pupienus and Balbinus as co-Emperors, who, with aid of defecting Legions, managed to defeat Maximinus. Even so, the appointment was unpopular with the Praetorian Guards, who subsequently murdered the pair. Gordian III, having recently been named Caesar, subsequently reigned as Rome’s sole Augustus.
Gordian confronted a rather difficult situation. Besides the obvious internal turmoil, the Empire also faced foreign wars, plagues, and economic depression. This coin portrays a different story, however, an obvious attempt at some positive propaganda. The obverse shows the bust of the young Emperor, acknowledging him not only Augustus and Imperator (leader of the Legions), but also Pius (pious) and Felix (happy). On the reverse, this theme continues with the depiction of Laetitia, the Roman Goddess of Joy, Gaiety, and Celebration. In one hand, Laetitia holds a wreath (representing celebration), and in the other, an anchor (representing stability). The verso features also the special epithet of LAETITIA AUGUSTA, or joy of the Emperor, which can also be interpreted as "the joy the Emperor brings to the people."
Alas, any joy Gordian achieved for Rome or himself proved short-lived. He married Furia Sabinia Tranquillina, the daughter of Timesitheus, a talented leader and military tactician, who became his Praetorian Prefect and key advisor. After Timesitheus died under mysterious circumstances, the young Emperor, preoccupied with the campaign against the Persians, backfilled the position with Julius Philippus (a.k.a. Philip the Arab). The campaign resumed, and Gordian was killed in 244 AD, either in battle following a military defeat, or, by some accounts, at the hands of Philip and his followers. In any case, Philip declared himself the new Emperor, and bribed the Persians to a temporary peace.
After his death, Gordian was remembered and revered as a good-natured youth who met a tragic fate, and, in spite of Philip’s protestations, the Senate deified him.
Coin Details: ROMAN EMPIRE, Gordian III, AD 238-244, AR Denarius (2.92 g), Struck 240-244 AD, NGC Grade: MS, Strike: 5/5, Surface: 5/5, Obverse: Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right, IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG, reverse: Laetitia, standing and looking left, holding wreath and anchor, LAETITIA AVG (dot) N, Reference: RIC, IViii, 86.