Decius

Decius, a Roman senator and general, was proclaimed emperor by the Danubian legions. He marched into Italy and defeated Philip the Arab at the Battle of Verona, where Philip was killed, securing Decius's position as sole emperor.

Decius led a military campaign against the Goths who had invaded the Danubian provinces. He initially achieved some successes, driving the Goths back, but the campaign was hampered by logistical issues and the plague.

Decius issued an edict requiring all Roman citizens to perform a sacrifice to the Roman gods and obtain a certificate (libellus) proving compliance. This triggered the first empire-wide persecution of Christians, who refused to sacrifice, leading to widespread arrests, torture, and executions.

Decius and his son Herennius Etruscus were killed in battle against the Goths at Abritus (modern Bulgaria). They were ambushed in a swamp by the Gothic king Cniva, making Decius the first Roman emperor to die in battle against a foreign enemy.