Decius

Decius (249-251 CE) was co-Emperor with his son, Herennius Etruscus, during the Crisis of the Third Century.
He was the first Roman Emperor to die in battle against a Barbarian Army and the first of the Illyrian Emperors.

1. BIOGRAPHICAL DETAILS

NAME:
- Gaius Messius Quintus Traianus Decius
DECIUS’S DATES OF REIGN AS EMPEROR:
- 249-251 CE
FAMILY DYNASTY:
- Unknown
DECIUS’ DATE OF BIRTH AND DEATH:
- Born: c.201 CE. Died: June 251 CE. Aged 50.
PLACE OF BIRTH AND DEATH:
- Born in Budalia, Pannonia Inferior. Died in Abrittus, Moesia Inferior.
DECIUS’ PREDECESSOR:
- Philip the Arab
DECIUS’ SUCCESSOR:
- Trebonianus Gallus and Hostilian, his surviving son.
HEIR TO THE THRONE BECAUSE:
- After being proclaimed Emperor by the Danube Legions, he defeated the army of Philip the Arab at Verona.
DECIUS’ WIVES AND CHILDREN:
- Herennia Etruscilla
  - Herennius Etruscus (Emp. 251 CE)
  - Hostilian (Emp. 251 CE)
DIED PEACEFULLY OR ASSASSINATED:
- Decius was killed in battle against the Goths, with his son and co-Emperor Herennius Etruscus, at the Battle of Abritus June 251 CE.
WHERE BURIED:
- Unknown.
DECIUS WAS FAMOUS BECAUSE:
- Decius was the first Roman Emperor to die in battle against a Barbarian Army.
- Decius was the first of many Emperors from Sirmium in Illyria, known as the Illyrian Emperors.
- He authorised the Decian Persecution (250 CE) against Christianity.

Illyrian Emperors:
- Decius was the first of many Emperors from Sirmium in Illyria.

Decian Persecution (250 CE):
- In January 250 CE, Decius passed an Edict forcing the people to sacrifice to the emperor, which became known as the Decian Persecution. Although Christians weren’t specifically mentioned, anybody refusing to sacrifice to the Emperor was to be tortured and executed.
- The highest members of the early Christian church including Pope Fabian, refused to sacrifice and were executed. A violent reaction occurred in Alexandria and Carthage, where the mobs persecuted and killed the Christians.

Plague of Cyprian (249-262 CE):
- In 249 CE an outbreak of the Plague of Cyprian lasted until 262 CE, causing Rome to lose up to 5,000 lives a day at its worst period.
- The local populations blamed the Christians, who were already struggling under the Decian Persecution and this led to outbreaks of mob violence against them.

Battle of Abritus (251 CE)
- This was the beginning of the Gothic Wars from 249 CE onwards.
- In 251 CE King Cniva of the Goths ransacked Moesia and Thrace, then retreated having captured not just loot but important Roman Nobles. Decius and his son successfully pursued and challenged the Gothic army.
- In June 251 CE, at the Battle of Abritus which took place in a marsh, Decius, his son Herennius Etruscus, and his army were defeated and lost.
- Decius was the first Roman Emperor to die in battle against a Barbarian Army.