AR Antoninianus, A.D. 240, Rome, 21mm, 4.51g, 180°, RIC IViii 65.
Obv: IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG. Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right.
Rev: CONCORDIA MILIT. Concordia seated left, holding patera and double cornucopia.
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Marcus Antonius Gordianus Pius, commonly known as Gordian III, was Roman Emperor from 238 to 244. Gordian was the son of Antonia Gordiana and an unnamed Roman Senator who died sometime before 238. Antonia Gordiana was the daughter of emperor Gordian I and younger sister of emperor Gordian II. Very little is known of his early life before acclamation. On July 29, 238 co-emperors Pupienus and Balbinus were killed by the Praetorian guard and Gordian was proclaimed sole emperor at the age of 13.

Due to Gordian's age, the imperial government was surrendered to the aristocratic families and the senate. In 241, Gordian was married to Furia Sabinia Tranquillina, daughter of the newly appointed praetorian prefect, Timesitheus. As chief of the Praetorian guard and father in law of the emperor, Timesitheus quickly became the de facto ruler of the Roman empire.

In 243, the Persians under Shapur I invaded Mesopotamia, the young emperor sent a large army to the East. The Sassanids were driven back over the Euphrates and defeated in the Battle of Resaena. The campaign was a success and Gordian, who had joined the army, was planning an invasion, when his father-in-law died in unclear circumstances. Without Timesitheus, the campaign, and the emperor's security, were at risk. Persian sources claim that a battle was fought (Battle of Misiche) near modern Fallujah (Iraq) and resulted in a major Roman defeat and the death of Gordian III. Roman sources do not mention this battle and suggest that Gordian died far away, upstream of the Euphrates. Other sources describe Philip, who succeeded Gordian as emperor, as having murdered Gordian at Zaitha. The true cause is not known for certain.

Gordian's youth and good nature granted him the everlasting esteem of the Romans. Despite the opposition of the new emperor, Gordian was deified by the Senate after his death, in order to appease the population and avoid riots.