Balbinus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Balbinus |
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Bust, Hermitage Museum
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| Roman emperor | |||||||||
| Reign | April/May – July/August 238 | ||||||||
| Predecessor | Gordian I and II | ||||||||
| Successor | Gordian III | ||||||||
| Co-emperor | Pupienus | ||||||||
| Born | c. 178 | ||||||||
| Died | 238 (aged 60) Rome, Italy |
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Decimus Caelius Calvinus Balbinus was a Roman emperor who ruled for about three months in 238 AD. He shared power with another emperor named Pupienus. This year was unusual because six different emperors ruled, which is why it's called the Year of the Six Emperors.
Contents
Balbinus: A Roman Emperor
Early Life and Career
We don't know much about Balbinus's early life. He was born around 178 AD. He came from a noble family, meaning he was a patrician from birth. His father, Caelius Calvinus, was a governor in a Roman province called Cappadocia.
Balbinus was also a priest of Mars, one of the most important Roman gods. He held the important job of consul twice. Being a consul meant he was one of the highest-ranking officials in the Roman Republic and Empire. His second time as consul was in 213 AD, alongside Emperor Caracalla. This shows that he was well-regarded by the emperors of his time.
Becoming Emperor
In 238 AD, the Roman Empire was in chaos. Two emperors, Gordian I and Gordian II, were proclaimed in Africa. The Roman Senate, a powerful group of leaders, chose a committee of twenty men to fight against the current emperor, Maximinus Thrax. Balbinus was one of these men.
When the Gordians were defeated, the Senate quickly chose Pupienus and Balbinus to be co-emperors. This happened in April 238 AD. They were both older, experienced senators. Balbinus was about 60 years old at the time.
The people of Rome, however, were not happy with this choice. They demanded that the young grandson of Gordian I, Gordian III, also be made emperor. So, Balbinus and Pupienus had to accept Gordian III as a third co-emperor.
Ruling the Empire
Balbinus was known as a good speaker and a wise leader. He was also a poet. He had a noble background and was wealthy. People saw him as a pleasant and dignified person.
While Pupienus went to lead the army against Maximinus Thrax, Balbinus stayed in Rome. His job was to keep order in the city. However, he found it hard to control the public.
After Pupienus returned victorious, the two emperors started to distrust each other. They even lived in different parts of the Imperial palace. This disagreement made them vulnerable.
The End of Their Reign
The Praetorian Guard, who were the emperor's personal bodyguards, were unhappy with both Balbinus and Pupienus. In July 238 AD, the Praetorian Guard attacked them. Both emperors were killed. After their deaths, the young Gordian III became the sole emperor.
His Sarcophagus
Balbinus has a special place in Roman art history because of his sarcophagus. A sarcophagus is a stone coffin. He had this marble sarcophagus made for himself and his wife while he was emperor.
It was found in pieces near the Via Appia, an ancient Roman road. After being put back together, it became the only surviving Roman Imperial sarcophagus of its kind. The lid shows figures of Balbinus and his wife lying down. The figure of Balbinus is a very good portrait of him.
Even though Balbinus was seen as a civilian leader, the side of his sarcophagus shows him dressed in full military uniform. This sarcophagus is now kept in a museum in Rome.
Gallery
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Portrait of the Roman Emperor Balbinus, dated AD 200–300, from the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
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Sestertius of Balbinus. Inscription: IMP. CAES. D. CAEL. BALBINVS AVG.
See also
In Spanish: Balbino para niños
