091. Trajan Decius

Trajan Decius

Decius' reign was not well-suited to the demands of a rapidly changing empire.[[45]] Conservatism may have been popular among a certain portion of the Roman elite, but the old aristocracy's power and influence all but disappeared in the third century. Decius clearly had a broader vision of what he wanted to accomplish in his reign than many of his contemporaries, and certainly he was vigorous, but he was also a man who was not sufficiently flexible when the moment called for it. His religious policy caused major disruptions in Rome and; in contrast to some of the other barracks emperors, Decius proved himself less than apt when dealing with Rome's Germanic foes. His death may have been heroic, but it was unnecessary and unsuccessful.

AR Antoninianus. IMP CMQ TRAIANUS DECIUS AUG, radiate, draped & cuirassed bust right /PANNONIAE, the two Pannoniae standing front with standards. RIC 21b, RSC 86

Collection : Roman Personalities