[8] There is some evidence to suggest that Gordian's mother might have been the granddaughter of the Greek Sophist, consul and tutor Herodes Atticus.

[10] According to this source, Gordian served as quaestor in Elagabalus' reign[11] and as praetor and consul suffect with Emperor Severus Alexander.

[14] Early in 235, Emperor Alexander Severus and his mother Julia Avita Mamaea were assassinated by mutinous troops at Moguntiacum (now Mainz) in Germania Inferior.

[20] Capelianus, governor of Numidia, a loyal supporter of Maximinus Thrax, and who held a grudge against Gordian,[20] renewed his allegiance to the reigning emperor[17] and invaded Africa (province) with the only legion stationed in the region, III Augusta, and other veteran units.

[21] Gordian II, at the head of a militia army of untrained soldiers, lost the Battle of Carthage and was killed.