Decius: A Military Emperor’s Biography
Decius: The Roman emperor who sacrificed himself for the empire's survival.
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Decius: A Military Emperor’s Biography in 10 Minutes
Introduction
Decius Father
Decius Mentor
Decius Rival
Decius Allies
The Rise of Decius
The Battle of Aquileia
Deciuss Loyalty to Rome
The Plot Against Decius
Deciuss Exile
The Return of Decius
The Trial of Decius
The Redemption of Decius
Deciuss Legacy
Lesson Details & Resources
In a Nutshell
- Who: Roman Emperor
- When: Lived: 201 – 251 AD
- Known For: Persecution of Christians and his military campaigns
- Legacy: Decius' persecution of Christians led to many martyrs, and he is remembered for his efforts to restore traditional Roman values.
Timeline of Decius: A Military Emperor’s Biography
Decius becomes Roman Emperor
Decius initiates the first organized empire-wide persecution of Christians
Decius issues an edict requiring all citizens to obtain a certificate proving they offered sacrifice to the Roman gods
Decius leads a military campaign against the Goths in the Balkans
Decius is killed in the Battle of Abrittus against the Goths
Gallus becomes Roman Emperor after Decius' death
Decius' son, Hostilian, is proclaimed co-emperor with Gallus
Hostilian dies, leaving Gallus as the sole emperor
Gallus is assassinated by his own troops
Aemilianus becomes Roman Emperor after Gallus' death
Aemilianus is assassinated by his own troops
Valerian becomes Roman Emperor
Valerian appoints his son Gallienus as co-emperor
Valerian and Gallienus launch a series of military campaigns against the Sassanian Empire
Valerian is captured by the Sassanians and dies in captivity
Gallienus becomes sole Roman Emperor after Valerian's capture
Gallienus is assassinated by his own officers
Claudius II becomes Roman Emperor after Gallienus' death
Claudius II defeats the Goths at the Battle of Naissus
Claudius II dies of the plague
Vocabulary List
- Decius
- Decius is a Roman family name that was common during the Roman Republic and Roman Empire.
- Decius Brutus
- Decius Brutus was a Roman senator and one of the conspirators involved in the assassination of Julius Caesar.
- Decius Mus
- Decius Mus was a legendary Roman consul who sacrificed himself in battle to ensure victory for the Roman army.
- Decius Iunius Brutus
- Decius Iunius Brutus was a Roman consul who played a significant role in the establishment of the Roman Republic.
- Decian Persecution
- The Decian Persecution was a persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire under the reign of Emperor Decius in the 3rd century.
Key Facts
This is the information used in the fact matching game
- Decius was a Roman emperor who ruled from 249 to 251 AD.
- His full name was Gaius Messius Quintus Decius.
- Decius was born in 201 AD in Budalia, Pannonia Inferior (modern-day Serbia).
- He became the first Roman emperor who actively persecuted Christians.
- Decius introduced the Decian persecution, a systematic persecution of Christians, in 250 AD.
- The Decian persecution aimed to force Christians to perform a ritual sacrifice to the Roman gods.
- Decius issued an edict requiring all citizens to obtain a certificate (libellus) proving they had performed the sacrifice.
- The Decian persecution resulted in the deaths of many Christians and caused widespread apostasy.
- Decius was killed in the Battle of Abrittus against the Goths in 251 AD.
- He was the first Roman emperor to die in a battle against a foreign enemy.
- Decius was succeeded by his son Herennius Etruscus, who also died in the Battle of Abrittus.
- Decius was known for his military campaigns against the Goths and the Carpi.
- During his reign, Decius implemented several reforms to strengthen the Roman military.
- Decius issued coinage featuring his own portrait, which was a departure from the traditional practice of depicting gods or previous emperors.
- He and his son Herennius Etruscus were the first joint rulers in Roman history.
- Decius is considered one of the Thirty Tyrants, a group of usurpers who briefly ruled the Roman Empire during the Crisis of the Third Century.
- The reign of Decius was marked by political instability and military challenges.
- Decius attempted to restore traditional Roman values and religious practices.
- He was declared a public enemy (hostis publicus) by the Senate after his death.
Analysis & Significance
Major Accomplishments
Decius was a renowned Memory Wizard known for inventing the Mnemonic Palace technique, revolutionizing memory enhancement. He also wrote several influential books on memory techniques, which are still studied today.
Impact on the World
Decius’s innovative memory methods had a profound impact on education, allowing students to retain and recall information more effectively. His techniques were also adopted by orators, politicians, and scholars, influencing the way information was organized and presented.
Enduring Legacy
Today, Decius is remembered as a pioneer in the field of memory enhancement, with his techniques continuing to be used and adapted in various fields. His contributions have solidified his place as a significant historical figure, inspiring generations to unlock the full potential of their minds.
Decius: A Military Emperor’s Biography Games
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