|
Dromo's Den
|
|
[Up] [Dromo's Den] Decius Biography DECIUS, GAIUS MESSIUS QUINTUS TRAIANUS. A Roman Emperor (201-251 A.D.). He was a native of Pannonia, of Illyrian stock. He commanded the troops of the Emperor Philippus on the Danube. In 249, his soldiers in Msia revolted and forced him, against his will, to proclaim himself Emperor and lead them into Italy. Philippus marched against him, but was slain in battle near Verona. In 250 Decius ordered all Christians to renounce their faith, and a cruel persecution ensued, notably at Rome, Carthage, Alexandria, Jerusalem, and Antioch. Fabianus, Bishop of Rome, was martyred on January 20, Cyprian, Bishop of Carthage, was forced to leave his see, and the bishops of Alexandria and Antioch perished in prison. The great Origen also was cast into prison and tortured in Cęsarea. In the following year (251) Decius was called to Thrace to check a great invasion of the Goths, but was abandoned by his general, Trebonianus Gallus, who sought the throne for himself, and Decius, together with his son, perished in battle. Consult Gibbon, Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, chap. x. The New International Encyclopaedia, Vol. VI (New York: Dodd, Mead & Co., 1920) 580. |