Decius

Decius, Cneius Messius Quintus Trajanus (200-251), a Roman Emperor born in Lower Pannonia. In 219 the mutinous army of Maesia, made him Emperor against his will and forced him to march against Philippus, the then Emperor, whom he defeated and killed near Verona. His reign of two years was chiefly occupied in fighting against the Goths, and he was killed in battle with them owing to the treachery of his successor, Gallus. His home policy was to restore the Rome of former times, and in pursuance of this he began the seventh persecution of the Christians, in the course of which the Bishops of Rome, Antioch, and Jerusalem were killed, and Origen was tortured.