PUPIENO (M. Clodius Pupienus), ROMAN EMPEROR. — Concerning his life before his election as emperor, it is known that he was praetor, suffect consul, ordinary consul (236), and prefect of Rome. After the death of the two Gordians, he was elected emperor by the Senate together with Balbinus (238).
He immediately set out to march against Maximinus, and after the latter was killed at Aquileia (March 238), he returned to Rome. There, however, having entered into conflict with his colleague, he was killed together with him by the praetorians, who had elected Gordian III (July 238). During his brief reign, the Christians were not molested; the abhorrence aroused by the cruel policy of Maximinus did not recommend following his example.
BIBL.: E. Stein, Clodius, in Pauly-Wissowa, IV, 88-98; A. Calderini, I Severi. La crisi dell'impero nel III sec., Bologna [1949], p. 135 ff. and passim.