Decius

Decius (c. 201–251), born at Budalia in Pannonia, was among the first emperors from the Danubian provinces. Serving under Philip the Arab, he was sent in 249 to put down a Danube revolt, only to be hailed emperor by his troops; he defeated and killed Philip near Verona.

In 250 his edict ordering sacrifice to the Roman gods launched the first empire-wide persecution of Christians, martyring Pope Fabian.

After Cniva’s Goths captured Philippopolis, he returned with a reorganized army, and in 251 he and his son Herennius Etruscus fell at the Battle of Abritus, the first Roman emperor slain fighting a foreign foe.