Hostilian

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

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

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

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

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.