Hostilian

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Sestertius_Hostilian-s2771_(obverse)

Hostilian

Hostilian was a Roman Emperor who ruled briefly in the year 251 AD. He was the son of Emperor Decius and Herennia Etruscilla. Hostilian's reign was marked by the outbreak of a deadly plague known as the Cyprian Plague, named after the Christian bishop Saint Cyprian who documented its effects.

Early Life[edit | edit source]

Hostilian was born in the mid-3rd century AD to Emperor Decius and Herennia Etruscilla. Little is known about his early life prior to his ascension to the throne.

Reign[edit | edit source]

Hostilian became Emperor of Rome in 251 AD following the death of his father Decius during a campaign against the Goths. His reign was short-lived and overshadowed by the Cyprian Plague, which ravaged the Roman Empire during this period. The plague is believed to have been a pandemic, causing widespread death and social upheaval.

Death[edit | edit source]

Tragically, Hostilian's reign came to an abrupt end when he succumbed to the effects of the Cyprian Plague in the same year he became Emperor. His death left the Roman Empire in a state of uncertainty, leading to further instability.

Legacy[edit | edit source]

Hostilian's brief reign and untimely death have relegated him to a relatively obscure figure in Roman history. However, his reign during the tumultuous period of the Cyprian Plague serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by the Roman Empire in the 3rd century AD.

Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD