Trajan Decius (249 - 251CE)

Trajan Decius (249 - June 251CE). Gaius Messius Quintus Traianus Decius reluctantly and unwillingly was acclaimed emperor by his troops on the Danube. Philip advanced against him and was killed in the battle leaving Decius as sole ruler. In January 250, he issued an edict for the suppression of Christianity. Pope Fabian died as a result of the edict. Decius became the first Roman emperor to die in battle against a foreign enemy when he and his elder son, Herennius Etruscus, died in the Battle of Abrittus.