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Gaius Valens Hostilianus Messius Quintus
"The Black Death" Hostilian was the younger son of Emperor Decius and the brother of Herennius Decius. In 250 CE, he was appointed Caesar by his father, like his brother. Hostilian remained in Rome when his father and brother departed at the end of that year for Moesia, Dacia, and Thrace, which had been invaded by the Goths and Carpi.
After the Battle of Abrittus in 251 CE, where Decius and Herennius perished, the soldiers proclaimed Trebonianus Gallus emperor. Gallus was the brother-in-law of Hostilian’s sister. Upon arriving in Rome, Trebonianus initially demoted Hostilian to the rank of Caesar but soon adopted him and elevated him, alongside his own son Volusianus, to the rank of Augustus.
Shortly thereafter, the young co-emperor died during an outbreak of the plague, which was devastating the population of Rome.
Denomination: Antoninianus, Ag
Obverse: Radiate and draped bust of Hostilian to right, seen from behind, C VALENS HOSTIL MES QVINTVS N C
Reverse: Mars advancing right, holding spear in his right hand and shield in his left, MARTI PROPVGNATORI
Mint: Rome, 251 A.D.
Weight: 6,56 g
Diameter: 20,5mm
Provenance: Fritz Rudolf Künker, ex Auktion Jacquier 38, Kehl am Rhein 2013, Nr. 419 und der Auktion Jacquier 37, Kehl am Rhein 2012, Nr. 420
Riferimento : 40.1 RIC IV 177b, RSC 15
Collezione : IMPERIUM ROMANUM 05 - Military Anarchy p.1