Decius

Also known as

• Caius Messius Quintus Trajanus Decius

Profile

Roman emperor from 249 to 251. He was the first of the great soldier emperors from the Danubian provinces. His main efforts as ruler were devoted to repelling the Goths from the Balkans, but he was defeated in the marshes of the Dubrudscha where he lost his life. He hoped to solve the pressing internal problems by reviving paganism. This led to his attempting to crush Christianity by a more violent persecution than the Church had yet experienced.

Born

• near Sirmium, Pannonia

Died

• in battle in the marches of Dubrudscha

Profiled saints who were martyred by Decius include

• Saint Bassus of Nice
• Saint Gratian of Perugia
• Saint Ischyrion
• Saint Justus the Potter
• Saint Laurentinus of Arezzo
• Saint Macarius the Potter
• Saint Maura of Ravenna
• Saint Moseus
• Saint Pergentinus of Arezzo
• Saint Rufinus the Potter
• Saint Rutilius
• Saint Sabinus
• Saint Sallustia
• Saint Theophilus
• Saint Theophilus the Potter
• Saint Trifone
• Saint Vitalis
• Saint Zeticus of Crete