Herennia Etruscilla Wife of Trajan Decius Herennia Cupressenia Etruscilla was descended from an old Italian family. She was the wife of Trajan Deciusand the mother of Herennius Etruscus and Hostilian. She received the title of Augusta about 250 AD. Not a great deal is known about her. However, she did support her husband’s persecution of Christians. Herennia’s world was shaken apart […]

Trajan Decius 249 – 251 AD First emperor from the Balkans C. Messius Quintus Traianus Decius was born about 201 AD in the Balkans at Budalia of Lower Pannonia. Decius not merely came from a military background but had also attained senatorial rank early in his career serving as consul in 232 AD. Decius was also governor of […]

Silbannacus Ca 244AD Marcus Silbannacus was a usurper during the reign of Philip I. History has not been kind to Silbannacus since it has failed to record his existence. Silbannacus is known only from a single coin that now resides in the British Museum. Silbannacus most likely led a very short-lived rebellion around 248 AD on […]

Jotapian Circa 248 AD Usurper of Syria & Cappadocia Marcus Fulvius Rufus Jotapianus was a member of the Near East indigenous aristocracy and was possibly a member of the Royal family of Commagene, which Vespasian had conquered. Jotapian was hailed Emperor by his troops in Syria when a revolt broke out in 248 AD. This rebellion […]

Pacatian Circa 248-249AD Usurper of Upper Moesia Titus Claudius Marinus Pacatianus was most likely a member of the senatorial class and the commander stationed on the Danube frontier in Pannonia and Moesia. Pacatian raised a revolt during the unpopular later years of the reign of Philip I. Pacatian was able to fan the flames of […]

Philip II As Caesar 244-247 AD As Augustus 247-249 AD Marcus Julius Philippus II was the son of Philip I and Otacilia Severa. He was raised to the rank of Caesar at the time of his father’s accession to the throne in 244 AD. By some accounts, Philip II was all but 5 or 6 years old. Almost […]

Julius Marinus Father of Philip I Julius Marinus was the father of the emperor Philip I and the grandfather of Philip II. He is known from the single coinage issue by his son issued at the city of Philippopolis. It is generally accepted that since his funeral was that of virtually afforded an emperor, it is believed that […]

Marcia Otacilia Severa 244-249AD Wife of Philip I Marcia Otacilia Severa was the wife of Philip I (“the Arab”) and the mother of Philip II. Upon her husband’s taking of the throne in 244 AD from the young 19-year-old emperor Gordian III, Otacilia was given the rank of Augusta upholding the Roman tradition. Her son, Philip II, was raised to the […]

Marcus Julius Philippus “The Arab” 244-249 AD Marcus Julius Philippus was born in Arabia the son of Julius Marinus. Philip entered a military career and was on the campaign in 243 AD against the Persians led by Shapur. Timisitheus was the Praetorian Commander in charge and he successfully defeated the Persians at Rhesaina. However, Timisitheus suddenly […]

Tranquillina 241-244 AD Wife of Gordian III Furia Sabinia Tranquillina was the daughter of the Praetorian Prefect Timisitheus. Tranquillina married Gordian III in 241 AD. The marriage may have been political insofar as Gordian III needed the support and aid of his father-in-law. Tranquillina reigned as Empress of Rome between 241 and 244 AD. Following […]