Trajan Decius

Trajan Decius, also known as Gaius Messius Quintus Decius, ruled as Roman Emperor from 249 to 251 CE during a period of mounting internal and external crises. His brief reign is remembered for his staunch efforts to restore traditional Roman values and his controversial persecution of Christians.

Born around 201 CE in Pannonia (modern-day Serbia), Decius was a seasoned military commander and administrator. His rise to power came after Emperor Philip I tasked him with suppressing a rebellion on the Danube frontier. However, Decius's military success and the loyalty of his troops led them to proclaim him emperor. Decius marched on Rome, defeating and killing Philip in 249 CE to secure the throne.

Decius sought to revitalize the Roman Empire by emphasizing traditional religious and cultural values. His most infamous policy was the edict of 250 CE, which required all citizens to perform sacrifices to the Roman gods and obtain a certificate proving their loyalty. This measure aimed to unify the empire under shared traditions but led to widespread persecution of Christians who refused to comply. This marked the first empire-wide persecution of Christianity, leading to the martyrdom of many believers, including Pope Fabian.

Decius's reign was also dominated by military challenges. The Goths invaded the Balkans, and Decius personally led campaigns to repel them. In 251 CE, he and his son Herennius Etruscus confronted the Gothic forces at the Battle of Abritus. Tragically, both Decius and his son were killed in a disastrous defeat, marking him as the first Roman emperor to die in battle against a foreign enemy.

Trajan Decius's legacy is complex. While his dedication to traditional Roman values reflected a desire to restore stability, his policies and military failures exemplify the difficulties faced by Rome during the Crisis of the Third Century. His reign underscores the fragile balance of power in a crumbling empire.

The quality of coinage declined dramatically under Trajan Decius as the empire descended further into the crisis of the 3rd century. The antoninianus was now mostly a bronze coin with a silver wash. The coins are typically struck in low relief and the silver wash often obscures what detail there was. These coins are also difficult to photograph if any of the silver wash is remaining. The present example looks better in-hand than in the photo but it still reflects the low quality coinage of the era. The portrait of Trajan Decius is about as finely executed and well-struck as one can hope to find. The reverse, though still somewhat weak, is exceptionally strong for the issue.