Who were the parents of Roman emperor Hostilian?
Gaius Valens Hostilianus Messius Quintus was born to Decius and Herennia Etruscilla. His full name included Perpenna or Perperna according to historian Aurelius Victor, marking his Etruscan heritage.
Questions about Hostilian
Short answers, pulled from the story.
When did Hostilian die during 251 AD?
Hostilian died in or before August 251 though some historians date it to November. Contemporary sources suggest July as the most likely month for his passing rather than later dates.
How did Trebonianus Gallus become emperor after Hostilian's father died?
Trebonianus Gallus emerged proclaimed emperor by legions following an ambush that killed Decius and Herennius Etruscus at the Battle of Abritus in June 251. Gallus elevated Hostilian to augustus almost immediately to placate public outrage over the sudden power shift.
What caused the death of Hostilian according to historical records?
Aurelius Victor and Epitome de Caesaribus attribute his end to plague spreading through Roman territories. Zosimus presents a different account claiming Trebonianus Gallus murdered the young emperor directly.
Why is the Ludovisi Battle sarcophagus unlikely to depict Hostilian?
All surviving coins show him as a beardless young boy while the sarcophagus portrays a mature Roman general engaged in combat scenes with detailed weaponry. If both Hostilian and Herennius Etruscus were children during their deaths, they could not match the adult warrior shown.