Decius
| Decius | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bust, Glyptothek, Munich | |||||||||
| Roman emperor | |||||||||
| Reign | September 249 – June 251 | ||||||||
| Predecessor | Philip the Arab | ||||||||
| Successor | Trebonianus Gallus | ||||||||
| Co-emperor | Herennius Etruscus | ||||||||
| Born | c. 201 Budalia, Illyricum (modern day Serbia) | ||||||||
| Died | 251 (aged 49–50) Abritus, Moesia Inferior | ||||||||
| Spouse | Herennia Etruscilla | ||||||||
| Issue | |||||||||
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| Religion | Ancient Roman religion | ||||||||
Gaius Messius Quintus Trajanus Decius (c. 201 – June 251), known as Trajan Decius or simply Decius (/ˈdiːʃiəs/), was Roman emperor from 249 to 251.
A distinguished politician during the reign of Philip the Arab, Decius was proclaimed emperor by his troops after putting down a rebellion in Moesia. In 249, he defeated and killed Philip near Verona and was recognized as emperor by the Senate afterwards. During his reign, he attempted to strengthen the Roman state and its religion, leading to the Decian persecution, where a number of prominent Christians (including Pope Fabian) were put to death. In the last year of his reign, Decius co-ruled with his son Herennius Etruscus, until they were both killed by the Goths in the Battle of Abritus.