Hostilian
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| Gaius Valens Hostilianus Messius Quintus |
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 Hostilian coin celebrating Securitas, the security of the Roman Empire. |
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| Reign | 251 (with Trebonianus Gallus) |
|---|---|
| Birthplace | Sirmium (Sremska Mitrovica, Serbia) |
| Died | 251 |
| Place of death | Rome |
| Predecessor | Decius and Herennius Etruscus |
| Successor | Trebonianus Gallus and Volusianus |
| Father | Decius |
| Mother | Herennia Etruscilla |
Gaius Valens Hostilianus Messius Quintus (died 251), was Roman emperor in 251. Hostilian was born in Sirmium (now Sremska Mitrovica, Serbia) in Illyricum[1] sometime after 230, as the son of the future emperor Decius by his wife Herennia Cupressenia Etruscilla. He was the younger brother of emperor Herennius Etruscus.
Following his father's accession to the throne, Hostilian received the treatment of an imperial prince, but was always kept in the shade of his brother Herennius, who enjoyed the privileges of being older and heir. In the beginning of 251, Decius elevated his son Herennius to co-emperor and Hostilian succeeded him in the title of princeps iuventutis (prince of youth). These dispositions were made previous to a campaign against king Cniva of the Goths, to punish him over the raids on the Danubian frontier. Hostilian remained in Rome due to his inexperience, and empress Herennia was named regent.
The campaign proved to be a disaster: both Herennius and Decius died in the Battle of Abrittus and became the first two emperors to be killed by a foreign army in battle. The armies in the Danube acclaimed Trebonianus Gallus emperor, but Rome acknowledged Hostilian's rights. Since Trebonianus was a respected general, there was fear of another civil war of succession, despite the fact that he chose to respect the will of Rome and adopted Hostilian. But later in 251, plague broke out in Rome and Hostilian died in the epidemic. He was the first emperor in 40 years and one of only 13 to die of natural causes. His timely death opened the way for the rule of Trebonianus with his natural son Volusianus.
[edit] References
- ^ "These men are usually called the Illyrian emperors since they all were born in that province (Illyricum) and were raised to power by legions stationed there" The Ancient World, Joseph Ward Swain
[edit] External links
Media related to Hostilian from Wikimedia Commons.
| Preceded by Decius and Herennius Etruscus |
Roman Emperor 251 with Trebonianus Gallus |
Succeeded by Trebonianus Gallus and Volusianus |
