Decius in Roman Biography

Decius, dee'sbe-us, [Fr. Dece, dis,] (Caius Messius Quintus TrajanusJ a Roman emperor, born in Pannonia about 200 a.d. He was Governor of Mcesia, under Philip, when his army proclaimed him emperor. A battle follower! between the two rivals, in which Philip was defeated and killed, 249 a.d. Decius persecuted the Christians with great cruelty. In a battle with the Goths, who had invaded his dominions, he was killed in 251. See Gibbon, "Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire."