Decius

Gaius Messius Quintus Trajanus Decius was a respected politician under Philip the Arab until his troops proclaimed him emperor in 249 after he crushed a rebellion in Moesia. He marched on Philip, killed him near Verona, and the Senate confirmed him. Once in power, Decius tried to shore up the Roman state through religion, launching the Decian persecution — a systematic campaign that executed prominent Christians including Pope Fabian. In his final year he elevated his son Herennius Etruscus to co-rule. In June 251, the Goths cut both their reigns short at the Battle of Abritus, where father an…