Italy: Icon of Hostilian (230-251), joint 36th Roman emperor, from the book Icones imperatorvm romanorvm (Icons of Roman Emperors), Antwerp, c. 1645

Hostilian (230-251) was the second son of Emperor Trajan Decius and younger brother of Emperor Herennius Etruscus. He became an imperial prince after his father ascended to the throne, but was constantly in the shadow of his brother, who was heir.

After Decius and Herennius were killed during the Battle of Abrittus on the Danubian frontier in 251, the armies in the Danube declared respected General Trebonianus Gallus as emperor, while Rome acknowledged Hostilian as the heir. To avoid another civil war, Trebonianus adopted Hostilian and chose to respect Rome's will, the two becoming co-emperors.

Only a few months into their co-rule however, the Plague of Cyprian broke out across the Empire, and Hostilian died in the rapidly spreading epidemic, aged 21. Hostilian became the first emperor in 40 years to die of natural causes.

Copyright:

Supplier: CPA Media Co. Ltd.

Credit:

Pictures From History