Decius

Gaius Messius Quintus Trajanus Decius (201- July 1 251), Roman emperor (249 - 251) was born at Budalia near Sirmium in lower Pannonia. He was the first among a long succession of distinguished men to come from the Illyrian provinces.

Related Topics:
201 - July 1 - 251 - Roman emperor - 249 - Sirmium - Pannonia - Illyria

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In around 245, the emperor Philip the Arabian entrusted him with an important command on the Danube. By 249 (or the end of 248), he was sent to quell a revolt of troops in Moesia and Pannonia and forced to assume the imperial dignity. He still protested his loyalty to Philip, but the latter advanced against him and was slain near Verona.

Related Topics:
245 - Philip the Arab - Danube - Moesia - Verona

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During his brief reign, Decius engaged in important operations against the Goths, who crossed the Danube to raid districts of Moesia and Thrace. (This is the first considerable occasion the Goths appear in the historical record, who would later come to play such an important role.)

Related Topics:
Goths - Thrace

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The Goths under Cniva (king of the Goths) were surprised by the emperor while besieging Nicopolis on the Danube; the Goths fled through the difficult terrain of the Balkans, but then doubled back and surprised the Romans near Beroë, sacking their camp and disbursing the troops. It was the first time a Roman emperor fled in the face of Barbarians. The Goths then moved to attack Philippopolis which fell into their hands and who treated the conquered with frightful cruelty. Its commander, Gaius Julius Priscus, declared himself emperor under Gothic protection.

Related Topics:
Cniva - Nicopolis - Balkans - Philippopolis - Gaius Julius Priscus

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The siege of Philippopolis had so exhausted the numbers and resources of the Goths, that they offered to surrender their booty and prisoners, on condition of being allowed to retire unmolested. But Decius, who had succeeded in surrounding them and hoped to cut off their retreat, refused to entertain their proposals. The final engagement, in which the Goths fought with the courage of despair, under the command of Cniva, took place on swampy ground in the Dobrudja near Abritum (Abrittus, July 1 251) or Forum Trebonii. Jordanes records that Decius' son Herennius Etruscus was killed by an arrow early in the battle, and to cheer his men exclaimed, "Let no one mourn; the death of one soldier is not a great loss to the republic." However, his army was annihilated in this battle, and Decius slain. He became the first Roman emperor killed in a battle with barbarians.

Related Topics:
Cniva - Dobrudja - Abrittus - July 1 - 251 - Jordanes - Herennius Etruscus

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Decius was an excellent soldier, a man of amiable disposition, and a capable administrator, worthy of being classed with the best Romans of the ancient type. The chief blot on his reign was the systematic and authorized persecution of the Christians, which had for its object the restoration of the religion and institutions of ancient Rome.

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Either as a concession to the senate, or perhaps with the idea of improving public morality, Decius endeavoured to revive the separate office and authority of the censor. The choice was left to the senate, who unanimously selected Valerian (afterwards emperor). But Valerian, well aware of the dangers and difficulties attaching to the office at such a time, declined the responsibility. The invasion of the Goths and the death of Decius put an end to the abortive attempt.

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