Herennius Etruscus

Quintus Herennius Etruscus Messius Decius (* 227, † June 251 at Abrittus ) was in his last year, Roman Emperor in a joint government with his father Decius. The later Emperor Hostilian was his younger brother.

Herennius was born in Pannonia, one of the stations of the military career of his father. His mother was Herennia Cupressenia Etruscilla, an Etruscan noblewoman from a senatorial family. Herennius remained close to his father and accompanied him as military tribune, when Decius was commissioned by Philip the Arab, to suppress the revolt of Pacatianus on the Danube frontier. Decius was proclaimed in Pannonia emperor by his troops, marched to Italy and beat Philip near Verona, which he was able to prevail as the new ruler. In Rome Herennius and Hostilian received in the spring or summer of 250 the title of Caesar.

In the same year translated Gothic groups across the Danube and invaded the provinces of Moesia and Dacia. 251 Decius raised his elder son Augustus ( co-emperor nominally equal ). This year Herennius also held the office of ordinary consul. The two emperors embarked on a campaign against the Gothic king Kniva to punish him for his assault. Hostilian remained with his mother in Rome.

Kniva and his men withdrew with their booty to their country when they met on the Roman army. In a sophisticated military consideration Kniva divided his army into smaller and more mobile units and began to push back the Romans in a marshland. In the first half of June 251, the armies clashed in the Battle of Abrittus. Herennius fell, struck down by an enemy arrow. Decius survived the first meeting, but was then killed with the rest of the army before the end of the day. Herennius and Decius were the first two emperors, who were killed by a foreign army in a battle.

After the news of the demise of the two emperors had reached the capital, father and son were charged upon decision of the Senate among the gods ( Divus ). The army proclaimed then Trebonianus Gallus emperor, while in Rome Hostilian his claim to the imperial dignity argued.