Trebonianus Gallus, 36th Roman Emperor (engraving, 1583)

Italy: Trebonianus Gallus (206-253), joint 36th Roman emperor, from the book "Romanorvm imperatorvm effigies: elogijs ex diuersis scriptoribus per Thomam Treteru S. Mariae Transtyberim canonicum collectis", 1583 Trebonianus Gallus (206-253) was a respected politician and general in the Roman Empire, and rose to power after the deaths of co-Emperors Trajan Decius and his son Herennius Etruscus during the Battle of Abrittus in 251. Some rumours claim that Gallus had had a hand in the deaths of Decius and his son, having conspired with the Goth invaders. His soldiers proclaimed Gallus emperor, but Decius' other son Hostilian had been acknowledged by the people of Rome as rightful heir. Not wishing to start another civil war, Gallus acquiesced to the will of the Roman people and adopted Hostilian as his son, becoming co-emperors together. Hostilian's death to plague barely months into his rule in 251 allowed Gallus to rule alongside his son Volusianus as new co-emperors. Like the reign of those before him, Gallus had to contend with revolts and foreign invasions. Aemilianus, governor of the provinces of Moesia Superior and Pannonia, took the initiative and defeated invaders threatening the eastern Roman frontier in 253. He was then proclaimed as emperor by his troops, and marched to Rome to fight for his claim, defeating Gallus and Volusianus in battle, who were subsequently killed by their own troops in August 253.