A treasury official's extortions through false judgments in corrupt courts against some local landowners ignite a full-scale revolt early in 238 in the province of Africa.
The landowners, who are mostly young and wealthy, arm their clients and their agricultural workers and enter Thysdrus (modern El Djem), where they murder the offending official and his bodyguards and proclaim the aged governor of the province, Marcus Antonius Gordianus Sempronianus (Gordian I), and his son, Gordian II, as co-emperors.
The Senate in Rome switches allegiance, gives both Gordian and Gordian II the title of Augustus, and sets about rousing the provinces in support of the pair.
Maximinus, wintering at Sirmium, immediately assembles his army and advances on Rome, the Pannonian legions leading the way.
