Decius
Roman emperor who ordered an empire-wide sacrifice
- Born
- c. 201 CE, Pannonia Inferior (modern Serbia)
- Died
- June 251, Abritus, Moesia (modern Bulgaria)
- Reign
- 249–251
- Known for
- Edict of 250 requiring all citizens to sacrifice; first empire-wide persecution of Christians
The emperor whose persecution of 250 CE is the setting for the Seven Sleepers, walled up in a cave by his order.
What is Decius known for?
Gaius Messius Quintus Decius was a Roman senator and general proclaimed emperor by his troops on the Danube in 249. Around January 250 he issued an edict ordering every inhabitant of the empire to sacrifice to the gods before officials and obtain a certificate. Christians who refused were punished, and the bishops of Rome, Jerusalem and Antioch were among those who died. It was the first systematic, empire-wide persecution of Christians, and it ended early in 251. That June Decius was killed fighting the Goths at Abritus.
Later Christian legend set the story of the Seven Sleepers of Ephesus in his reign. Seven young Christians hide from the persecution in a cave, are walled in, and wake in the reign of Theodosius II, about two centuries later, proof of the resurrection of the body. The Quran tells a related story of the People of the Cave without naming the emperor.
The persecution is historical; the sleepers are known only from later legend.
The Seven Sleepers legend begins under his persecution around 250 CE.
Mentioned on these pages
- Rabbit holePeople of the Cave (Seven Sleepers)
- PersonGregory of Tours
- PersonJacob of Serugh
- PersonOrigen
- PersonTheodosius II
- PlaceEphesus
Sources
- Encyclopaedia Britannica, 'Decius'Reference
- Wikipedia, 'Decius'Reference
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