Editing Gordian I (section)

==Early life==
Gordian steadily climbed the Roman imperial hierarchy when he became part of the [[Roman Senate]]. His political career started relatively late in his life{{sfn|Meckler|2001}} and his early years were probably spent in rhetoric and literary studies.{{sfn|Birley|2005|p=340}}{{sfn|Birley|2005|p=340}} As a military man, Gordian commanded the [[Legio IV Scythica]] when the legion was stationed in [[Syria]].{{sfn|Birley|2005|p=340}} He served as governor of [[Roman Britain]] in 216 AD and was a suffect consul sometime during the reign of [[Elagabalus]].{{sfn|Meckler|2001}} Inscriptions in Roman Britain bearing his name were partially erased suggesting some form of imperial displeasure during this role.{{sfn|Birley|2005|p=339}}

While he gained unbounded popularity on account of the magnificent games and shows he produced as [[aedile]],<ref>Historia Augusta, ''The Three Gordians'', 3:5</ref> his prudent and retired life did not excite the suspicion of [[Caracalla]], in whose honor he wrote a long epic poem called "Antoninias".{{sfn|Chisholm|1911}}<ref>Historia Augusta, ''The Three Gordians'', 3:3</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Kemezis|first=Adam M|title=Greek Narratives of the Roman Empire Under the Severans: Cassius Dio, Philostratus and Herodian|publisher=Cambridge University Press|year=2014}}</ref> Gordian certainly retained his wealth and political clout during the chaotic times of the Severan dynasty which suggests a personal dislike for intrigue. [[Philostratus]] dedicated his work ''Lives of the Sophists'' to either him or his son, Gordian II.<ref>{{cite book|last=Grant|first=Michael|url=https://archive.org/details/romanemperorsbio0000gran/page/140|title=The Roman Emperors: A Biographical Guide to the Rulers of Imperial Rome, 31 BC–AD 476|publisher=Charles Scribner's Sons|year=1985|isbn=0-684-18388-9|place=New York|page=140|author-link=Michael Grant (classicist)}}</ref>