Lesson plan
Quartinus
Titius Quartinus (died 235 AD) was a Roman usurper. After the death of Alexander Severus and the usurpation of Maximinus Thrax, a unit of archers from Osrhoene in Mesopotamia, proclaimed Quartinus emperor, a former provincial governor and friend of emperor Alexander Severus, purportedly against his own will. Those archers were led by Macedo and claimed to want revenge for Alexander's death. Quartinus himself was dismissed from the army by Maximinus after Alexander's death. But later, Macedo betrayed Quartinus, killed him, and presented his head to Maximinus. Maximinus had Macedo executed nevertheless. Quartinus story was written down by historian Herodianus. No other independent source mentions him, however, and thus some scholars believe Quartinus is purely an invention of Herodianus.
Article summary
Titius Quartinus (died 235 AD) was a Roman usurper. After the death of Alexander Severus and the usurpation of Maximinus Thrax, a unit of archers from Osrhoene in Mesopotamia, proclaimed Quartinus emperor, a former provincial governor and friend of emperor Alexander Severus, purportedly against his own will. Those archers were led by Macedo and claimed to want revenge for Alexander's death. Quartinus himself was dismissed from the army by Maximinus after Alexander's death. But later, Macedo betrayed Quartinus, killed him, and presented his head to Maximinus. Maximinus had Macedo executed nevertheless. Quartinus story was written down by historian Herodianus. No other independent source mentions him, however, and thus some scholars believe Quartinus is purely an invention of Herodianus.
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Discussion questions
- Summarise the article in your own words. Which single claim would you verify first, and why?
- Which claim in this article is most likely to be revised as the sources update? How would you check its current status?
- If two sources disagreed about one of these facts, what would you need in order to trust one over the other?
Bibliography
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Key claims and bibliography are generated from the same tracked claims and sources as the article page.