Herennius Etruscus

Roman emperor (220-251)

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Lived 227–251, aged 24

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Era
227–251
Aged 24

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Summary

Updated 2026-05-29

Herennius Etruscus got bumped from Caesar to full emperor in 251 at an unfortunate moment—right before the Goths came knocking at Rome's Danubian door. He and his father Decius both died in battle that same year, ending their joint reign almost as quickly as it started.

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Quintus Herennius Etruscus Messius Decius, known simply as Herennius Etruscus, was briefly Roman emperor in 251, ruling jointly under his father Decius. His father was proclaimed emperor by his troops in September 249 while in Pannonia and Moesia, in opposition to Philip. Decius defeated Philip in battle, and was then proclaimed emperor by the Senate. Etruscus, still a child, was elevated to Caesar (heir) in 250, then further raised to Augustus (emperor) in May 251. When the Goths, under Cniva, invaded the Danubian provinces, he was sent with a vanguard, followed by the main body of Roman troo…

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