Hostilian

Hostilian
Sestertius of Hostilian as emperor
Roman emperor
Reign	c. June – July 251
Predecessor	Decius and Herennius Etruscus
Successor	Trebonianus Gallus and Volusianus
Co-emperor	Trebonianus Gallus
Died	c. July 251
Names Gaius Valens Hostilianus Messius Quintus Regnal name Imperator Caesar Gaius Valens Hostilianus Messius Quintus Augustus
Father	Decius
Mother	Herennia Etruscilla

Hostilian (Latin: Gaius Valens Hostilianus Messius Quintus; died 251) was briefly Roman emperor in 251. Hostilian was born to Decius and Herennia Etruscilla at an unknown date and elevated to caesar in 250 by Decius. After Decius and Herennius Etruscus, Hostilian's brother, were killed at the Battle of Abritus, an ambush by the Goths, Trebonianus Gallus was proclaimed emperor by the legions. Almost immediately, he elevated Hostilian to co-emperor and his own son, Volusianus, to caesar. Hostilian died soon after, either due to plague or being murdered by Trebonianus Gallus.