Directory

238 CE

Emperor Maximinus Thrax campaigns against the Carpians on the Danube in Moesia (Balkans). In spite of the payment of a tribute, the Romans fail to persuade the Goths and the Germanic tribes. Sima Yi, a Chinese general of the Cao Wei state, destroys the outlying northeastern warlord Gongsun Yuan in the Liaodong campaign. C. May – The Senate outlaws Maximinus for his bloodthirsty proscriptions in Ancient Rome and nominates two of its members, Pupienus and Balbinus, to the throne.

Geopolitics & Diplomacy

  • Future Emperor Valerian becomes princeps senatus.source

Conflict & Security

  • c. March – Roman subjects in Africa revolt against Maximinus. The elderly Gordian yields to public demand that he succeed Maximinus and rules jointly with his 46-year-old son Gordian II.source
  • Emperor Maximinus Thrax campaigns against the Carpians on the Danube in Moesia (Balkans). In spite of the payment of a tribute, the Romans fail to persuade the Goths and the Germanic tribes.source
  • The Goths, coming from Ukraine, cross the Danube and devastate the Roman Empire up to the border with Anatolia.source
  • c. April – Battle of Carthage: Numidian forces loyal to Maximinus invade Africa with support of Legio III Augusta. Gordian II is killed and after a siege, Gordian I commits suicide by hanging himself with his belt.source
  • Sima Yi, a Chinese general of the Cao Wei state, destroys the outlying northeastern warlord Gongsun Yuan in the Liaodong campaign.source
  • c. August – The Praetorian Guard storms the palace and captures Pupienus and Balbinus. They are dragged naked through the streets of Rome and executed. On the same day Gordian III, age 13, is proclaimed the new emperor. Timesitheus becomes his tutor and advisor.source
  • In North Africa, Legio III Augusta is dissolved. Until its reconstitution in 253, Africa is defended by auxiliary forces only.source

Religion & Belief

  • c. May – The Senate outlaws Maximinus for his bloodthirsty proscriptions in Ancient Rome and nominates two of its members, Pupienus and Balbinus, to the throne.source

Economy & Finance

  • The silver content of the Roman denarius falls to 28 percent under Emperor Gordian III, down from 35 percent under Alexander Severus.source

Crime & Justice

  • The Colosseum is restored after being damaged.source

Climate & Environment

  • Maximinus advances to the town Aquileia in northern Italy; his army suffers from famine and disease, while the city is besieged. Soldiers of Legio II Parthica kill him in his tent, along with his son Maximinus (who is appointed co-emperor). Their corpses are decapitated and their heads carried to Rome.source

Births

  • Wen Yang (or Ciqian), Chinese general (d. 291)source
  • Yang Yan (or Wuyuan), Chinese empress (d. 274)source

Deaths

  • April 10 – Han Ji (or Gongzhi), Chinese politiciansource
  • April 12 – Gordian I, Roman emperor (b. 159)source
  • April 12 – Gordian II, Roman emperor (b. 192)source
  • Maximinus Thrax, Roman emperor (b. 173)source
  • Gongsun Yuan (or Wenyi), Chinese warlordsource
  • Bu Lianshi, Chinese noblewoman and concubinesource
  • Maximinus the Younger, Roman emperorsource
  • Zhu Huan (or Xiumu), Chinese general (b. 177)source