This denarius features Gordian III, about whom we know little. His grandfather, Gordian I, and uncle, Gordian II, had been declared joint emperors in the African province after a rebellion against Maximinus Thrax’s corrupt adminstrators. While the people instigated this revolt, the Roman senate, too, grew weary of the emperor Maximinus Thrax, who was the antithesis of their traditional visions for an ideal emperor. A dangerous and suspicious man, he was ruthless against those who were disloyal. The senate risked themselves by confirming the Gordiani. Unfortunately, this reign lasted just over a month, for a supporter of Maximinus challenged and defeated the Gordiani. When Maximinus finally was eliminated, Gordian III was named emperor at just fourteen years old. This was done primarily to ease the shock with which the populace received news of Gordian I and Gordian II’s deaths, and Gordian III was mainly emperor in name only. The praetorian prefect Timesitheus married the young emperor to his daughter, and quickly took on the de facto role of his son-in-law. Gordian III boldly pushed back Sassanid Persian forces and moved to invade, but Timesitheus died suddenly, and Gordian III became immediately vulnerable. Unsurprisingly, he too soon died in uncertain circumstances. KHK.