Balbinus

Balbinus (238 CE) was co-Emperor with Pupienus during the Year of the Six Emperors (238 CE).
He reigned for three months.

1. BIOGRAPHICAL DETAILS

NAME:
- Decimus Caelius Calvinus Balbinus Pius
BALBINUS’ DATES OF REIGN AS EMPEROR:
- 22 April 238 CE to 29 July 238 CE.
BALBINUS’ DATE OF BIRTH AND DEATH:
- Born: c.178 CE. Died: 29 July 238 CE.
PLACE OF BIRTH AND DEATH:
- Born: unknown. Died in Rome.
BALBINUS’ PREDECESSOR:
- Gordian I and Gordian II
BALBINUS’ SUCCESSOR:
- Gordian III, proclaimed successor by himself and Pupienus under pressure from the Mobs in Rome.
HEIR TO THE THRONE BECAUSE:
- Voted co-Emperor with Pupienus by the Roman Senate upon hearing of Gordian I‘s defeat. The Senate wished to prevent Maximinus Thrax from becoming Emperor.
DIED PEACEFULLY OR ASSASSINATED:
- He and Pupienus were tortured then assassinated by the Praetorian Guard in the Bath house of the Castra Praetoria.
WHERE BURIED:
- Near the Via Appia, Rome.
BALBINUS WAS FAMOUS BECAUSE:
- Sarcophagus of Balbinus:
- Balbinus had a marble Sarcophagus made for himself and his wife, decorated with reliefs showing himself in military uniform beside his wife. It is the only Roman Imperial Sarcophagus to survive. It is located in the Museo di Pretastato, Park of the Caffarella, near the Via Appia, Rome.

On 22 April 238 CE, Balbinus was voted Co-Emperor with Pupienus by the Roman Senate upon hearing of Gordian I‘s defeat. They wished to prevent Maximinus Thrax succeeding as Emperor.
After only three months, in July, Balbinus and Pupienus were tortured then assassinated by the Praetorian Guard, in the Bath house of the Castra Praetoria.
This left the 13 year old Gordian III as Roman emperor.

Sarcophagus of Balbinus, Park of Caffarella