Hostilian

• Hostilian (251 CE) was a Roman Emperor during the Crisis of the Third Century (235-284 CE).
• He was one of only twenty-five Emperors to die of natural causes.

1. BIOGRAPHICAL DETAILS

• NAME:
  • Gaius Valens Hostilianus Messius Quintus
• HOSTILIAN’S DATES OF REIGN AS EMPEROR:
  • July – November 251 CE.
• HOSTILIAN’S DATE OF BIRTH AND DEATH:
  • Born c.230 CE. Died in 251 CE. Aged 21.
• PLACE OF BIRTH AND DEATH:
  • Born in Sirmium, Pannonia Inferior. Died in Rome.
• HOSTILIAN’S PREDECESSOR:
  • Trebonianus Gallus
• HOSTILIAN’S SUCCESSOR:
  • Valerian
• HEIR TO THE THRONE BECAUSE:
  • His father was the Roman Emperor Decius and his brother the co-Emperor Herennius Etruscus.
• DIED PEACEFULLY OR ASSASSINATED:
  • Uncertain: Trebonianus Gallus agreed to make him co-emperor and adopted Hostilian as his heir:
  • Either: he may have had Hostilian assassinated.
  • Or: he may have succumbed to the Plague of Cyprian, as nothing is heard of him after July 251 CE.
• WHERE BURIED:
  • Unknown.
• HOSTILIAN WAS FAMOUS BECAUSE:
  • Hostilian was one of only 25 Roman Emperors to die of a natural cause.
  • He was one of the Illyrian Emperors.

2. BRIEF SYNOPSIS

• Hostilian’s father was the Roman Emperor Decius and his brother was the co-emperor Herennius Etruscus.
• When Decius died in battle against the Goths, at the Battle of Abritus, Trebonianus Gallus agreed to be co-emperor and adopt Hostilian as his heir.
• However, Hostilian may have succumbed to the Plague of Cyprian, as nothing is heard of him after July 251 CE.
• Hostilian was one of only 25 Roman Emperors to die of a natural cause.
• He was one of the Illyrian Emperors.

3. BIBLIOGRAPHY

• CLASSICAL SOURCES: