His rise
A Senator from the Danube
Gaius Messius Quintus Decius was born around 201 near Sirmium in Pannonia, on the Danube frontier. Unlike many of the soldier-emperors of his century, he was a senator of wealth and standing who had governed provinces in Spain and on the lower Danube. He was married to Herennia Etruscilla and had two sons.
In 249 the emperor Philip sent him to restore order among the mutinous legions of the Danube. The troops proclaimed Decius emperor instead. He marched on Italy, defeated and killed Philip near Verona, and was recognized by the Senate. He added Trajan to his name, a sign that he meant to restore the glory and the old ways of Rome.
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