Gordian III (20 January 225 – c. February 244) was Roman emperor from 238 to 244. At the age of 13, he became the youngest sole emperor of the united Roman Empire. 

Due to Gordian's age, the imperial government was surrendered to the aristocratic families, who controlled the affairs of Rome through the Senate.

In 241 (at age 16), Gordian was married to Furia Sabinia Tranquillina, daughter of the newly appointed praetorian prefect, Timesitheus. As chief of the Praetorian Guard and father-in-law of the Emperor, Timesitheus quickly became the de facto ruler of the Roman Empire.

During Gordian's reign there were severe earthquakes, so severe that cities fell into the ground along with their inhabitants.

By the 3rd century, the Roman frontiers weakened against the Germanic tribes across the Rhine and Danube, and the Sassanid Empire across the Euphrates increased its own attacks. When the Sasanians under Shapur I invaded Mesopotamia, the young emperor sent a large army to the East. The Sassanids were driven back over the Euphrates and defeated in the Battle of Resaena. The campaign was a success and Gordian, who had joined the army, was planning an invasion of the enemy's territory when his father-in-law died in unclear circumstances.

Gordian died at the Battle of Misiche at the age of 19.