Decius

Decius, Gaius Quintus Messiah - The Roman emperor in 249-251 years. Genus. 195 g. + 251 g. Decius was born in Pannonia, in the city of Sirmium (Victor: "O Caesar ', 29), passing all stages of a military career, he was 249 g. posted by Emperor Philip in Moesia with the request to reassure the legions of the billowing. But the soldiers proclaimed himself emperor Decius (Gibbon: 10). He opposed Philip and crushed him under Verona. Philip was killed, and Decius possessed the supreme authority (Victor: "O Caesar '; 29). According to Victor, he had a diversity of knowledge and many virtues, in a peaceful environment was gentle and sociable, in the military - a very energetic. In 250 g. Decius, along with his son, was made co-regent in Moesia, to repel the invasion of hordes ready (Victor: 'On the life and morals of the Roman emperors'; 29). This was the first large-scale clash of the Romans, the restless people. Decius made ready to lift the siege of Nicopolis, but then, when the Romans wanted to pursue the enemy, the Goths suddenly turned and attacked them. Decius to retreat in disarray for the Balkans, and the Goths captured another major city - Filippolem (Jordan: 102 - 103). In Macedonia, they declared emperor Lucius Priscus, and when Decius with great haste was made against him, seized power in Rome Julius Valens. At the same time in Syria, declared himself emperor Iotapian. But they were soon killed (Victor: 'On the life and morals of the Roman emperors'; 29). Taking advantage of the delay is prepared under Filippolem, Decius was able to gather strength. The following year he attacked them under Abrittom. At the beginning of the battle his son, young man, cast more than hope and already admitted to complicity in the imperial power, was killed by an arrow in front of father. Decius, without losing his presence of mind, has announced that the loss of one soldier is not important for the Republic (Jordan: 103). Then began a stubborn and fierce battle. First, the Goths retreated under the onslaught of the Romans. But when the battle moved to the marsh, the Romans were not able to resist them. They were surrounded and defeated. Decius himself drowned in the swamp along with his horse, and even his dead body was not found (Gibbon: 10).