Roman Emperor. He was born into a patrician family circa AD 165, and served twice as consul, in AD 203 and AD 211, when he was colleague to the Emperor Caracalla. He acquired a reputation as a poet, orator, and magistrate, before serving on a committee to co-ordinate operations against Maximinus Thrax on behalf of the joint Emperors Gordian I and Gordian II. The senate then voted him co-Emperor with Pupianus, with the young Gordian III as their colleague. Pupianus oversaw the campaign against Maximinus while Balbinus stayed in Rome and tried, unsuccessfully to keep public order. Before long the two joint rulers fell out, and were soon living in different parts of the Imperial palace. The Praetorian Guard resented the appointment of Emperors by the senate, and, in May AD 238, they stormed the palace and murdered the two men. Balbinus' sarcophagus is a unique survival, and is considered a masterpiece of Imperial art.
Roman Emperor. He was born into a patrician family circa AD 165, and served twice as consul, in AD 203 and AD 211, when he was colleague to the Emperor Caracalla. He acquired a reputation as a poet, orator, and magistrate, before serving on a committee to co-ordinate operations against Maximinus Thrax on behalf of the joint Emperors Gordian I and Gordian II. The senate then voted him co-Emperor with Pupianus, with the young Gordian III as their colleague. Pupianus oversaw the campaign against Maximinus while Balbinus stayed in Rome and tried, unsuccessfully to keep public order. Before long the two joint rulers fell out, and were soon living in different parts of the Imperial palace. The Praetorian Guard resented the appointment of Emperors by the senate, and, in May AD 238, they stormed the palace and murdered the two men. Balbinus' sarcophagus is a unique survival, and is considered a masterpiece of Imperial art.
Bio by: js
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