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GORDIAN III : 238-244 A.D. -
Silver Denarius (20mm, 2.45 gm.) Rome, 240 A.D.
Reference: RIC 116. RSC 403.
IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG - Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right.
 VIRTVTI AVGVSTI, Hercules standing front with club in right hand at feet.

Marcus Antonius Gordianus had just entered his teens when a series of bloody events thrust him onto the throne. In 238 his grandfather Gordian I and his uncle, Gordian II, were murdered, and Balbinus and Pupienus succeeded them, promoting the young Gordianus to Caesar. Then they were assassinated, and the military acclaimed him Augustus. Gordian was still in his teens when he met his own bloody end six short years later, due to the treachery of Philip, the Praetorian Prefect, who wanted the throne for himself.