The Roman Emperors who Ruled for 98 Days
Decius Caelius Balbinus and Marcus Clodius Pupienus were both Senators of Rome. Balbinus was born into a senatorial family and was reliable and trustworthy as a Senator. Pupienus was born in humble surroundings and joined the civil service and rose through the ranks very rapidly showing to be an able administrator with a flair for leadership.
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Decius Caelius Balbinus and Marcus Clodius Pupienus were both Senators of Rome. Balbinus was born into a senatorial family and was reliable and trustworthy as a Senator. Pupienus was born in humble surroundings and joined the civil service and rose through the ranks very rapidly showing to be an able administrator with a flair for leadership.
Busts of Pupienus (left) and Balbinus (right)
When the emperor's Gordian I and Gordian II died at Carthage in 238AD, the senate who had supported the Gordians then declared Maximinus I as a public enemy then had to choose a new Emperor. They opted to choose two, Balbinus and Pupienus, two ex-consuls, to be joint rulers of the empire. Both men were in their 60's or early 70's. Balbinus and Pupienus became Emperor's on the 22nd of April 238AD for three months. They came to power in the Year of the Six Emperors.
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Balbinus looked after the Civil Administration whilst Pupienus raised an army to oppose Maximinus I. Maximinus had reached the borders of Italy and was heading for Rome. At Aquileia (coast of Northern Italy) Maximinus was murdered by the Praetorian Guard and the Second Legion. Pupienus was at Ravenna when the murder happened whilst raising his army. The conspirators took the heads of Maximinus and his son to Pupienus. He then took the heads to Rome in triumph.
Balbinus and Pupienus argued on who was more in charge, they distrusted and hated each other, even fearing an assassination from the other, thou they were very popular with the citizens. Balbinus thought that being an able administrator made him more senior whereas Pupienus thought his army career gave him the edge. After a reign of 98 days, the Praetorian Guard stormed the palace, and dragged Balbinus and Pupienus through the streets of Rome whilst being beaten and tortured and then murdered on 29th July 238AD.
Photo cngcoins.com
Balbinus and Pupienus argued on who was more in charge, they distrusted and hated each other, even fearing an assassination from the other, thou they were very popular with the citizens. Balbinus thought that being an able administrator made him more senior whereas Pupienus thought his army career gave him the edge. After a reign of 98 days, the Praetorian Guard stormed the palace, and dragged Balbinus and Pupienus through the streets of Rome whilst being beaten and tortured and then murdered on 29th July 238AD.
This silver Antoninianus obverse shows the bust of Balbinus and the reverse has two Clasped right hands with the legend 'CONCORDIA AVGG' meaning 'Harmony of the two Emperors'
The coins of Balbinus and Pupienus have legends on them which translate as “Harmony Amongst The Emperors” which goes to show how coins served as objects of political propaganda but in reality, it was nothing like that.
Photo cngcoins.com
This silver Antoninianus obverse shows the bust of Pupienus and the reverse has two Clasped right hands joined with the legend 'AMOR MVTVVS AVGG' meaning 'Mutual affection of the Emperors'
Gordian III was hailed emperor after the demise of Balbinus and Pupienus in the year of the Six Emperors in 238 AD. The six emperors were Maximinus Thrax, Gordian I and Gordian II, Pupienus, Balbinus and Gordian III.
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© 2020 David Lee
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