Caught up in a rebellion against the Emperor Maximinus Thrax, he was defeated in battle and committed suicide after the death of his son, having had the second shortest reign in imperial history.

[14] While he gained unbounded popularity on account of the magnificent games and shows he produced as aedile,[15] his prudent and retired life did not excite the suspicion of Caracalla, in whose honor he wrote a long epic poem called "Antoninias".

[16][17][18] Gordian certainly retained his wealth and political clout during the chaotic times of the Severan dynasty which suggests a personal dislike for intrigue.

[19] During the reign of Alexander Severus, Gordian I (who was by then in his late sixties), after serving his suffect consulship prior to 223, drew lots for the proconsular governorship of the province of Africa Proconsularis[9][23] which he assumed in 237.

[24] However, prior to the commencement of his promagistrature, Maximinus Thrax killed Alexander Severus at Moguntiacum in Germania Inferior and assumed the throne.

[27] After Maximinus' fiscal curator was murdered in a riot, people turned to Gordian and demanded that he accept the dangerous honor of the imperial throne.

(...) A respite of three days, obtained with difficulty from the rapacious treasurer, was employed in collecting from their estates a great number of slaves and peasants blindly devoted to the commands of their lords and armed with the rustic weapons of clubs and axes.

The leaders of the conspiracy, as they were admitted to the audience of the procurator, stabbed him with the daggers concealed under their garments, and, by the assistance of their tumultuary train, seized on the little town of Thysdrus, and erected the standard of rebellion against the sovereign of the Roman empire.

(...) Gordianus, their proconsul, and the object of their choice [as emperor], refused, with unfeigned reluctance, the dangerous honour, and begged with tears that they should suffer him to terminate in peace a long and innocent life, without staining his feeble age with civil blood.

[33] This event is sometimes dated to 2 April, but this is only based on a passage of the Historia Augusta, nowadays considered highly unreliable, that told about an eclipse presaging the imminent fall of the Gordians.

[3] Capelianus, governor of Numidia and a loyal supporter of Maximinus Thrax, held a grudge against Gordian[33] and invaded the African province with the only legion stationed in the region, III Augusta, and other veteran units.