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About 245 the emperor Philip the Arabian entrusted him with an important command on the Danube, and in 249 (or end of 248), having been sent to put down a revolt of the troops in Moesia and Pannonia, he was forced to assume the imperial dignity. He still protested his loyalty to Philip, but the latter advanced against him and was slain near Verona.

During his brief reign Decius was engaged in important operations against the Goths, who crossed the Danube and overran the districts of Moesia and Thrace. The details are obscure, and there is considerable doubt as to the part taken in the campaign by Decius and his son Herennius Etruscus.

The Goths were surprised by the emperor while besieging NicopolisNicopolis (meaning in Greek: city of victory or Actia Nicopolis was an ancient city of Epirus, founded 31 BC by Octavian in memory of his victory over Antony and Cleopatra at Actium. The colony, composed of settlers from a great many of the towns of the n on the Danube; at his approach they crossed the BalkansThe Balkans is the historic and geographic name used to describe southeastern Europe (see the Definitions and boundaries section below). The region has a combined area of 550,000 km² and a population of around 53 million. The countries of Albania, Bosnia, and attacked Philippopolis. Decius followed them, but a severe defeat near Beroë made it impossible to save Philippopolis, which fell into the hands of the Goths, who treated the conquered with frightful cruelty. Its commander, Priscus, declared himself emperor under Gothic protection.

The siege of Philippopolis had so exhausted the numbers and resources of the Goths, that they offered to surrender their booty and prisoners on condition of being allowed to retire unmolested. But Decius, who had succeeded in surrounding them and hoped to cut off their retreat, refused to entertain their proposals. The final engagement, in which the Goths fought with the courage of despair, under the command of CnivaCniva (??? 3rd century CE), birthplace unknown, Gothic King who defeated and killed Decius and his older son, Herennius Etruscus, at the Battle of Abrittus in 251 CE. Decius became the first Roman emperor killed in a battle. Goths Ancient Roman enemies an, took place on swampy ground in the Dobrudja near Abritum ( AbrittusThe Battle of Abrittus (now Razgrad, Bulgaria), also known as the Battle of Forum Terebronii occurred in 251 between the Roman legions and Goths under King Cniva. The Romans were defeated, and the Emperor Decius and his son Herennius were both killed duri) or Forum Trebonii. JordanesJordanes (also Jordanis or even Iornandes 'bold as a boar') was a 6th century historian in Moesia (modern Bulgaria), who provides most of the literary evidence concerning the early history of the Goths, by giving a very criticized condensation of a lost h records that Decius' son was killed by an arrow early in the battle, and to cheer his men exclaimed, "Let no one mourn; the death of one soldier is not a great loss to the republic." However, his army was annihilated in this battle, and Decius slain.

Decius was an excellent soldier, a man of amiable disposition, and a capable administrator, worthy of being classed with the best Romans of the ancient type. The chief blot on his reign was the systematic and authorized persecution of the ChristiansChristian cross and its many variations are widely recognized as an ancient Christian symbol. Christianity is an Abrahamic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as described in the New Testament. Although Christians generally chara, which had for its object the restoration of the religion and institutions of ancient Rome.

Either as a concession to the senate, or perhaps with the idea of improving public morality, Decius endeavoured to revive the separate office and authority of the censor. The choice was left to the senate, who unanimously selected Valerian (afterwards emperor). But Valerian, well aware of the dangers and difficulties attaching to the office at such a time, declined the responsibility. The invasion of the Goths and the death of Decius put an end to the abortive attempt.

The persecutions of Decius provide the context for the seven "apostles to Gaul" of Christian history and legend. These seven bishops sent out to re-Christianize Gaul are individually discussed at their own entries: Gatien to Tours, Trophimus to Arles, Paul to Narbonne, Saturnin to Toulouse, Denis to Paris, Austromoine to Clermont, and Martial to Limoges. See also Persecution of Christians for details of the "Decian persecutions."

This article incorporates text from the public domain 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica. 1911 Britannica