Roman Emperor Trajan Decius (249-251 AD)

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Born Caius Messius Quintus Traianus Decius around the year 201 AD in the village of Budalia in Lower Pannonia. He was governor of Lowe r Moesia in 234-238 AD. In 248 AD, he was dispatched by Philip I to restore order to Upper Moesia following the rebellion of Pacatian. Ironically, Decius was proclaimed emperor by the rebels in July 249 AD and forced to march on Italy. In a battle near Verona, Philip I and his son, Philip II, were killed and Decius was left as sole ruler of the Empire.

Decius spent most of his reign near the northern borders fighting the Goths. In June 251 AD, the Goth King Cniva ambushed Decius and h is army in a swamp near Abrittus and Decius was killed along with his son, Herennius Etruscus. They became the first emperors to be ki lled in battle by foreign forces.