Six emperors, one year: The bloody political upheaval in Rome in AD 238

The Roman Empire, at this point, had seen more than two centuries of growth and consolidation since the days of Augustus.

However, the stability that marked the early empire had begun to wane. The mid-third century was a time of intensifying conflicts, both internal and external, setting the stage for the chaotic Year of the Six Emperors.

The emperor preceding this fateful year was Maximinus Thrax, an imposing figure renowned for his military prowess.

A Thracian by birth, he rose through the ranks to become the leader of Rome in AD 235, marking the first time a man of such humble origins had ascended to the throne.

His reign was characterized by brutal military campaigns and excessive taxation to fund these endeavors, which increasingly alienated both the Roman aristocracy and the general populace.

As Maximinus waged his wars on the frontiers, dissatisfaction simmered in the heart of the empire.

The increasingly resentful aristocracy longed for a leader who was one of their own, while the lower classes groaned under the burden of Maximinus' oppressive taxes.

It was this discontent that set the stage for the succession of emperors in AD 238. The volatile environment, coupled with a series of other external factors, created a perfect storm, culminating in one of the most unprecedented years in the history of the Roman Empire.

Furthermore, the mounting pressures from external invasions, coupled with the escalating economic issues, meant the empire was teetering on the brink of a crisis.

The strength and unity of Rome were about to be tested in a manner that was both dramatic and brutal, forever shaping the trajectory of the empire. 

Maximinus Thrax, a common soldier of humble beginnings, ruled as the Roman emperor from 235 to 238.

Known for his extraordinary size and strength, Thrax was a formidable presence. His reign was marked by extensive military campaigns against Germanic tribes and Sarmatians, and heavy taxation to fund these wars.

However, this military-focused governance, coupled with his low-born status, led to resentment among Rome's elite.

The mounting dissatisfaction set the stage for revolt, and the Year of the Six Emperors began with the end of Maximinus Thrax's rule.

Facing a rebellion in Africa and a Senate hostile to him, Maximinus marched on Rome but was assassinated by his troops outside the city in June 238.

In the province of Africa, resentment against Maximinus' rule sparked a rebellion. The respected elderly senator Gordian I and his son, Gordian II, were declared emperors in March 238.

Their joint rule, however, was short-lived. Upon hearing of the revolt, Maximinus Thrax sent a force to crush it.

Gordian II was killed in the Battle of Carthage, and his father Gordian I committed suicide upon hearing of his son's death.

Their reign, though brief, was significant as it demonstrated the extent of dissatisfaction with Maximinus Thrax and set a precedent for further rebellions.

Following the deaths of the Gordians, the Roman Senate quickly elected two of its members, Balbinus and Pupienus, as joint emperors, a move made in a bid to assert their power and control.

This was not well-received by the Roman people, who preferred the grandson of Gordian I, Gordian III.

Balbinus and Pupienus' rule was marked by political tension and power struggles. Their reign ended abruptly when they were assassinated by the Praetorian Guard, who resented the senators' lack of military experience and their disregard for the Guards' influence.

Following the murder of Balbinus and Pupienus, Gordian III, the 13-year-old grandson of Gordian I, was proclaimed emperor by the Praetorian Guard.

His rule marked the end of the tumultuous Year of the Six Emperors. Being a minor, his reign was controlled by the adults around him, including Timesitheus, who became his father-in-law and the de facto ruler of the empire.

Gordian III's reign lasted until 244, a relatively long period considering the chaotic year that had just passed.

The socio-political climate in Rome during the year AD 238 was a tempestuous and complex one.

The power dynamics within the empire were increasingly volatile, fueled by a growing sense of dissatisfaction among different societal factions.

The foundations of the Roman political system were being challenged, and the result was a year of unprecedented upheaval.

The public sentiment in Rome was characterized by a growing discontent with the ruling class. Maximinus Thrax's oppressive taxation to fund his military campaigns had caused widespread resentment among the populace.

This dissatisfaction led to support for the Gordians, who symbolized the possibility of a different kind of rule.

When the Gordians were defeated, and the Senate chose Balbinus and Pupienus as emperors, the populace's reaction was one of dissatisfaction and unrest.

They favored the young Gordian III, who represented the Gordian family that they had rallied behind earlier.

The Senate, on the other hand, was trying to regain its authority and influence within the empire.

It saw the unrest as an opportunity to reassert its power, which had been gradually eroded under the rule of the soldier-emperor Maximinus.

The election of Balbinus and Pupienus was an attempt by the Senate to control the imperial power, a move that ultimately led to their downfall due to the hostility of other power factions.

The army played a significant role in the political turmoil. The assassination of Maximinus Thrax, the initial support for the Gordians, and the final declaration of Gordian III as emperor, all demonstrated the substantial influence the army wielded.

The Praetorian Guard, in particular, emerged as a powerful entity, highlighting the shifting power dynamics within Rome.

The Year of the Six Emperors was punctuated by numerous key events and battles that shaped the course of Roman history.

Each event, marked by a shifting power dynamic and a brutal struggle for supremacy, offers a glimpse into the turmoil and instability that characterized the Roman Empire in AD 238.

One of the major battles of this period was the Battle of Carthage, which marked the tragic end of the reign of Gordian I and Gordian II.

Once the Gordians were declared emperors in Africa, a move largely supported by the local population, the news quickly reached Maximinus Thrax.

He sent Capelianus, governor of the nearby province and a loyal supporter, to quell the uprising.

The resulting Battle of Carthage was decidedly in favor of Maximinus' forces. Gordian II, leading the ill-prepared local militia, fell in battle.

On hearing about his son's death, Gordian I took his own life. This decisive battle ended the revolt in Africa and underscored the enduring power of Maximinus Thrax, though his eventual downfall was only a few months away.

The assassination of Balbinus and Pupienus marked another significant event in this tumultuous year.

The two emperors were chosen by the Senate, who hoped to regain the political authority that had been steadily slipping away under military emperors.

However, their appointment was not well-received by the people of Rome, who favored Gordian III, nor by the Praetorian Guard.

The latter group, disgruntled by the Senate's attempt to sideline them and unimpressed by the lack of military credentials of the two senators, brutally assassinated Balbinus and Pupienus.

This event marked a significant power shift and paved the way for the rule of Gordian III.

In the immediate aftermath, the effect on Roman society and governance was profound.

The rapid succession of emperors exposed the inherent instability of the imperial system at the time.

It highlighted the growing tensions between different power factions within Rome, namely the Senate, the army, and the populace.

The reign of Gordian III that followed, although more stable in comparison, was heavily influenced by these factions, particularly the Praetorian Guard.

More broadly, the events of AD 238 served as a precursor to the Crisis of the Third Century (also known as the Imperial Crisis), a period of severe economic, military, and political unrest that nearly led to the collapse of the Roman Empire.

The power struggles, the socio-political upheaval, and the military crises that marked the Year of the Six Emperors can be seen as early symptoms of this impending crisis.