| Hostilian | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
.jpg) 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 | ||||||||
| |||||||||
| 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.