Decimius
who was
B.
B.
William Smith - 1844 - Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities - a
iv.
Julianus, who, in an engagement near Tapae, de and Schol. ; Martial. v. 3, vi. 76; Plin. Epist.
stroyed great numbers of the foe, and threatened viii. 4, 9, x. 16; Sueton. Domit. 6; Eutrop. vii.
even the royal residence, while Vezinas, who held 15 ; Euseb. Chron. ; Zonar. xi. 21; Oros. vii. 10;
the second place in the Dacian kingdom, escaped Jornand. R. G. 13, Petr. Patric. Excerp. leg. p.
with difficulty by casting himself among the slain, 23, ed. 1648; Engel, Comment. de Trajan. erped.
and feigning death until the danger was past.
At ad Danub. Vindobon. 1794, p. 136; Mannert,
length Domitian, harassed by an unprofitable and Res. Traj. Imp. ad Danub. gest. , 1793; Franke,
protracted struggle, and alarmed by the losses sus- Geschichte Trajans, 1837.
[W. R. )
tained in his contest with the Quadi and Mar- MAGN. DECE'NTICS, the brother or cousin
comanni, was constrained to solicit a peace which of Magnentius, by whom, after the death of Con-
he had more than once refused to grant. Dece- stans, he was created Caesar, A. D. 351, and raised
balus despatched his brother, Diegis or Degis by to the consulship the following year. During the
name, to conclude a treaty, by whom some pri- war in Gaul against the Alemanni, Decentius was
soners and captured arms were restored, and a defeated by Chnodomarius, the leader of the bar-
regal diadem received in return. But the most barians, and upon this, or some previous occasion,
important and disgraceful portion of the compact the Treviri, rising in rebellion, closed their gates
was for a time carefully concealed. Notwith- and refused to admit him into their city. Upon
standing his pompous pretensions to victory and receiving intelligence of the death of Magentius,
the inockery of a triumph, the emperor had to whose aid he was hastening, and finding that
been compelled to purchase the forbearance of his foes surrounded him on every side so as to leave
antagonist by a heary ransom, had engaged to no hope of escape, he strangled himself at Sens on
furnish him with a large body of artificers skilled the 18th of August, A. D. 353. The medals which
in fabricating all instruments for the arts of peace assign to this prince the title of Augustus are
or war, and, worst of all, bad submitted to an deemed spurious by the best authorities. His
unheard of degradation by consenting to pay an name appears upon genuine coins under the form
annual tribute. These occurrences are believed Mag. or Magn. DECENTIUS, leaving it doubtful
to have bappened between the years A. D. 86-90, whether we ought to interpret the contraction by
but both the order and the details of the different | Magnus or Magnentius.
erents are presented in a most confused and per- Decentius is called the brother of Magentius by
plexing form by ancient authorities.
Victor, de Cues. 42, by Eutropius, x. 7, and by
Trajan soon after his accession determined to Zonaras, xiii. 8, 9; the kinsman (consanguineum, -
wipe out the stain contracted by his predecessor, rével ouvantouévov) by Victor, Epit. 42, and by
and at once refused to fulfil the conditions of the Zosimus, ii. 45, 54. See also Amm. Marc. xv. 6.
league. Quitting the city in his fourth consulship $ 4, xvi. 12. & 5; Fast. Idat. [11. R. ]
(A. D. 101), he led an army in person against the
Dacians, whom he defeated near Tapae, the scene
of their former misfortune, after an obstinate
struggle, in which both parties suffered sererely,
Pressing onwards, a second victory was gained by
Lusius Quietus, commander of the Moorish cavalry,
many strongholds were stormed, the spoils and
trophies taken from Fuscus were recovered, and
the capital, Sarmazegetusa (Zepuiseyedoúra), was
invested. Decebalus having in vain attempted to DE'CIA GENS, plebeian, but of high anti-
temporize, was at length compelled to repair to the quity, became illustrious in Roman history by two
presence of the prince, and to submit to the terms members of it sacrificing themselves for the pre-
imposed by the conqueror, who demanded not only servation of their country. The only cognomens
## p. 947 (#967) ############################################
DECIMIUS.
917
DECIUS.
that occur in this gens are Mrs and SUBULO: Samnium, both by his noble descent and his
for those who are mentioned without a surname wealth. In 1. c. 217 he joined the Roman army
bee Deco's
against Hannibal with 8000 foot and 500 horse, at
DECIANUS, APPULEIUS. 1. C. APPU- the command of the dictator Q. Fabius Maximus.
LEIUS DECIANt's was tribune of the people in B. C. With these forces Decimius appeared in the rear
90. In that year he brought a charge against L. of Hannibal, and thus decided a battle which was
Valerius Flaccus, the nature of which is unknown. taking a very unfavourable turn for Minucius, the
He also brought an accusation against L. Furius, magister equitum. Two castella were taken on
one of the tribunes of the year previous, who op- that day, and 6000 Carthaginians were slain, but
posed the recall of Metellus Numidicus. It seems the Romans too lost 5000 men. (Liv. xxii. 24. )
to have been on this occasion that he lamented be- 2. C. DECIMIUS, was sent in B. C. 171 as alm-
fore the public assembly the fate of L. Appuleius bassador to Crete to request the Cretans to send
Saturninus and Servilius Glaucia, and endeavoured auxiliaries for the war against Perseus of Mace-
to create disturbances to avenge their death. In donia. In 169 he was praetor peregrinus, and in
consequence of these proceedings he himself was the rear following he was sent with two others as
condemned, and went into exile to Pontus, where ambassador to Antiochus and Ptolemy, to bring
he engaged in the service of Mithridates. (Cic. about a reconciliation between the two kings, and
pro Rubir. perd. 9, pro Flacc. 32 ; Schol. Bobiens. to declare that, whichever of them should continue
p. 230, ed. Orelli; Val. Max. viii. 1. S 2; Ap-hostilities, should cease to be treated as the friend
pian, B. C. i. 33. )
and ally of Rome. On that occasion Decimius and
2. C. APPULEIUS DECIANUS, a son of No. 1, his colleagues visited the island of Rhodes at the
lived as negotiator in Asia Minor, at Pergamus, request of the Rhodians themselves, and on his
and at Apollonis. He was repeatedly charged return to Rome his report was in favour of the
with having committed acts of injustice and vio- Rhodians, in as much as he endeavoured to throw
lence towards the inhabitants of Apollonis, for he the guilt of their hostility towards Rome upon
appears to have been a person of a very avaricious some individuals only, while he tried to exculpate
and insolent character, and in the end he was con- the body of the people. (Liv. xlii. 35, xliii. 11,
demned by the praetor Flaccus, the son of the L. 15, xliv. 19, xlv. 10. )
Valerius Flaccus, who had been accused by De- 3. M. DECIMIU's, was sent with Tib. Claudius
cianus, the father. In B. c. 59, Decianus took Nero as ambassador to Crete and Rhodes in B. C.
vengeance upon Flaccus by supporting the charge 172, just before the outbreak of the war with
which D. Laelius brought against him. (Cic. pro Perseus, for the purpose of discovering whether
Flacc. 29-33 ; Schol. Bobiens. pp. 228, 230, 242, they had been tempted by Perseus, and of trying
ed. Orelli. ).
[L. S. ] to renew their friendship with Rome. (Liv. xlii.
DECIANUS, C. PLAU'TIUS, was consul in 19. )
B. C. 329 with L. Aemilius Mamercinus. It was 4. L. DECIMICS, was sent in B. c. 171 as ambas-
his province during his consulship to continue the sador to the Illyrian king Genthius, to try to win
war against Privernum, while his colleague was en- him over to the side of the Romans during the war
gaged in raising another army to meet the Gauls, who against Perseus. But he returned to Rome with-
were reported to be marching south ward. But this out having effected anything, and was suspected of
report proved to unfounded, and all the Roman having accepted bribes from the king. (Liv. xlii.
forces were now directed against Privernum. The 37, 45. )
town was taken, its walls were pulled down, and 5. C. DECIMIUS, a person wno had held the
a strong garrison was left on the spot. On his office of quaestor (quaestorius), and belonged to the
return Decianus celebrated a triumph. During party of Pompey. In B. C. 47 he was in the
the discussions in the senate as to what punish- island of Cercina to take care of the provisions for
ment was to be infiicted upon the Privernatans, the Pompeians, but on the arrival of Sallust, the
Decianus humanely endeavoured to alleviate their historian, who was then a general of Caesar,
fate. According to the Fasti, C. Plautius Decianus Decimius immediately quitted the island, and
was consul also the year following; but Livy fled in a small vessel. (Caes. Bell. Afr. 34. ) He
mentions in his stead P. Plautius Proculus. In seems to be the same as the C.
Decimius who was
B. C. 312, C. Plautius Decianus was censor with a friend of Atticus. (Cic. ad Att. ir. 16. ) (L. S. ]
Appius Claudius, and after holding the office eigh- DE'CIUS. 1. M. Decius, one of the depu-
teen nionths, he laid it down, in accordance with ties sent to the senate by the plebeians during
the lex Aemilia, while Appius Claudius, refusing their secession to the sacred mount in B. C. 495.
obedience to the law, remained censor alone. (Liv. (Dionys. vi. 88. )
viii. 20, 22, ix. 29, 33; Val. Max. vi. 2. 1; 2. M. Decius, tribune of the people in B. C.
Frontin. de Aquaed. i. 5; Diodor. xx. 36. ) (L. S. ] 311, when he carried a plebiscitum, that the
DECIA'NÚS CATUS. (Catus. ]
people should appoint duumviri narales to restore
DECI'DIUS SAXA. (Saxa. )
and equip the Roman fleet. (Liv. ix. 30. )
DECIMIUS. The Decimii appear to have 3. P. Decius, one of the legates who in B. C.
been originally a Samnite family of Bovianum, at 168 brought to Rome the news of the defeat of the
least the first of the name belonged to that place, Illyrians, and of the capture of their king Genthius.
and the others who occur in history were probably (Lir. xli. 3. )
his descendants, who after obtaining the Roman 4. P. Decil's, according to Cicero (de Orat. ii.
franchise settled at Rome. The only cognomen 31) and Aurelius Victor (de l'ir. Ill. 72), whereas
among the Decimii is Flavus. The following Liry (Epit. 6)) calls him Q. Decius, was tribune
list contains those who are mentioned without a of the people in B. c. 120. L. Opimius, who had
cognomen.
been consul the year before, was brought to trial
1. NUMERIUS DECIMIUS, of Borianum in Sam- by the tribune Decius for having caused the murder
nium, is called the most illustrious person in all of C. Gracchus, and for having thrown citizens
3 r 2
## p. 948 (#968) ############################################
948
DECIUS.
DECIUS.
inin prison without a judicial rerdict. The enemies Decius the wrongs he had inflicted upon Rhegium.
of Decius asserted that he had been induced by lle gave him something which he wils to apply to
bribes to bring forward this accusation. Four his eyes, and which, however painful it might be,
years later, B. c. 115, Decius was praetor urbanus, he was to continue till the physician should
and in that year he gave great offence to M. return froin Messina, The order was obeyed,
Acmilius Scaurus, who was then consul, by keep but the pain became at last quite unbearable,
ing his seat when the consul passed by liimn. The and Decins in the end found that he was quite
haughty Scaurus turned round and ordered him to blind. After the death of Pyrrhus, in B. c. 271,
risc, but when Decins refused, Scaurus tore his Fabricius was sent out against Rhegium ; he be-
gown and broke the chair of Decius to pieces; at sieged the place, and took it. All the survivors of
the same time he commanded that no one should the Campanian legion that fell into his hands, up-
receive justice at the hands of the refractory i wards of three hundred men, were sent to Rome,
praetor. It is not improbable that the hostile where they were scourged and beheaded in the
feeling between the two men may have arisen from forum. The citizens of Rhegium who were yes
the fact that Scaurus had induced Opimius to take alive were restored to their native place. Decius
up arms against C. Gracchus, to whose party put an end to himself in his prison ai Rome. (an
Decius evidently belonged. Cicero speaks of Decius pian, Samnit. Excerpt. ix. 1-3 ; Diodor. Fragm.
as an orator who emulated M. Fulvius Flaccus, the lib. xxii. ; Liv. Epit. 12, 15; Polyb. i. 7; Val.
friend of C. Gracchus, and remarks that he was Max. vii. 7. $ 15. )
(L. S. ]
as turbulent in his speeches as he was in life. It DECIUS, Roman emperor, A. D. 249–251,
is probably this Decins who is alluded to in a whose full name was C. MESSIUS QUINTUS
fragment of the poet Lucilius, which is preserved TRAJANUS DECHI'S, was born about the close
by Cicero. (De Orat. ii. 62, comp. ii. 30, 31, Brut. of the second century at Bubalia, a village in
28, l'art. orat. 30. )
Lower Pannonia, being the first of a long series
5. P. Decius, a colleague of M. Antony in the of monarchs who traced their origin to an Illy-
septemviratus. Cicero says of him, with a fine rian stock. We are altogether unacquainted with
irony, that he endeavoured to follow the example his early career, but he appears to have been
of his great ancestors (the Decii), by sacrificing entrusted with an important military command
himself to his debts, that is, by joining Antony, upon the Danube in a. d. 245, and four years
through whose influence he hoped to get rid of his afterwards was earnestly solicited by Philippus
debts. Be accompanied Antony in the war of to undertake the task of restoring subordination
Mutina, but was taken prisoner there. Afterwards, in the army of Moesia, which had been dis-
however, when Octavian wished for a reconcilia-organized by the revolt of Marinus. (Puulippus;
tion with Antony, he allowed Decius to return to Makinus. ] Decius accepted this appointment
his friend. (Cic. Phil. xi. 6, xiii. 13; Appian, with great reluctance, and many misgivings as to
B. C. iii. 80. )
the result. On his appearance, the troops deem-
6. Decius, is mentioned by Appian (B. C. iv. ing their guilt beyond forgiveness, ofiered the
27) anong those who were proscribed after the envoy the choice of death or of the throne. With
formation of the triumvirate of Antony, Octavian, the sword pointed to his heart he accepted the
and Lepidus. Decius and Cilo, on hearing that latter alternative, was proclaimed Augustus, and
their names were on the list, took to flight, but as forced by the rebels to march upon Italy, having
they were hurrying out of one of the gates of previously, according to Zonaras, written to as-
Rome, they were recognized by the centurions and sure his sovereign that his faith was still un-
put to death.
(L. S. ] broken, and that he would resign the purple, as
DE'CIUS JUBE'LLIUS, a Campanian, and soon as he could escape from the thraldom of the
commander of the Campanian legion which the legions. Philippus, not trusting these professions,
Romans stationed at Rhegium in B. c. 281 for the hastened to meet his rival in the field, encountered
protection of the place. Decius and his troops, \ him in the vicinity of Verona, was defeated, and
envious of the happiness which the inhabitants of slain. This event took place towards the end of
Rhegium enjoyed, and remembering the impunity A. D. 249.
with which the Mamertines had carried out their The short reign of the new prince, extending
disgraceful scheme, formed a most diabolical plan. to about thirty months, was chietiy occupied in
During the celebration of a festival, while all the warring against the Goths, who now, for the first
citizens were feasting in public, Decius and his time, appeared as a formidable foe on the north-
soldiers attacked them; the men were massacred eastern frontier, and having crossed the Danube,
and driven into exile, while the soldiers took the under Cniva their chief, were ravaging the
women to themselves. Decius put himself at the Thracian provinces. The details of their inva-
head of the city, acted as tyrannus perfectly inde- sion are to found in Jornandes, Zosimus, and
pendent of Roine, and formed connexions with the the fragments of Dexippus, but these accounts ap-
Mamertines in Sicily. He at first had endeavoured pear so contradictory, that it is impossible, in the
to palliate his crime by asserting that the Rhegines absence of an impartial historian, to explain or re-
intended to betray the Roman garrison to Pyrrhus. concile their statements. It would seem that the
During the war with Pyrrhus the Romans had no barbarians, in the first instance, repulsed Decius
time to look after and punish the miscreants at near Philippopolis, and were thus enabled to take
Rhegium, and Decius for some years enjoyed the that important city, but having lost their best
fruits of his crime unmolested. During that period troops during these operations, and finding them-
he was seized by a disease of the eyes, and not selves surrounded by the Romans who were now
venturing to trust a Rhegine physician, be sent for advancing from different points, they offered to
one io Messana. This physician was himself a purchase an unmolested retreat by the surrender
native of Rhegium, a fact which few persons knew, of their prisoners and plunder. These overtures
and he now took the opportunity to avenge on being rejected, the Goths turned to bay, and gave
## p. 949 (#969) ############################################
DECIUS.
949
DEICOON.
battle near Abricium late in the year a. d. 251. scarcely be pronounced fair or dispassionate, the
After a deadly struggle, their desperate valour, language of the latter especially being such as to
aided by the incautious confidence of the Ronans, mislead the unlearned reader both as to the nature
prevailed. The son of the emperor was slain by and extent of our information, and to induce him to
an arrow, while Decius himself, with his best conclude that we posses materials for pronouncing
troops, became entangled in a inarsh, and were a judgment which do not in reality exist.
cut to pieces or engulfed.
(Victor, de Cues. 29 ; Epit. 29; Eutrop. ix. 4 ;
Some proceedings in the civil administration of Trebell
. Pollio Valerian. c. l; Euseb. Hist.
this epoch, which at first sight would be con- Eccles. vi. 39, &c; Zosim. i. 21–23; Zonar. xii.
sidered as wholly without connexion with cach 19, 20; Jornandes, R. G. c. 16, &c.
Julianus, who, in an engagement near Tapae, de and Schol. ; Martial. v. 3, vi. 76; Plin. Epist.
stroyed great numbers of the foe, and threatened viii. 4, 9, x. 16; Sueton. Domit. 6; Eutrop. vii.
even the royal residence, while Vezinas, who held 15 ; Euseb. Chron. ; Zonar. xi. 21; Oros. vii. 10;
the second place in the Dacian kingdom, escaped Jornand. R. G. 13, Petr. Patric. Excerp. leg. p.
with difficulty by casting himself among the slain, 23, ed. 1648; Engel, Comment. de Trajan. erped.
and feigning death until the danger was past.
At ad Danub. Vindobon. 1794, p. 136; Mannert,
length Domitian, harassed by an unprofitable and Res. Traj. Imp. ad Danub. gest. , 1793; Franke,
protracted struggle, and alarmed by the losses sus- Geschichte Trajans, 1837.
[W. R. )
tained in his contest with the Quadi and Mar- MAGN. DECE'NTICS, the brother or cousin
comanni, was constrained to solicit a peace which of Magnentius, by whom, after the death of Con-
he had more than once refused to grant. Dece- stans, he was created Caesar, A. D. 351, and raised
balus despatched his brother, Diegis or Degis by to the consulship the following year. During the
name, to conclude a treaty, by whom some pri- war in Gaul against the Alemanni, Decentius was
soners and captured arms were restored, and a defeated by Chnodomarius, the leader of the bar-
regal diadem received in return. But the most barians, and upon this, or some previous occasion,
important and disgraceful portion of the compact the Treviri, rising in rebellion, closed their gates
was for a time carefully concealed. Notwith- and refused to admit him into their city. Upon
standing his pompous pretensions to victory and receiving intelligence of the death of Magentius,
the inockery of a triumph, the emperor had to whose aid he was hastening, and finding that
been compelled to purchase the forbearance of his foes surrounded him on every side so as to leave
antagonist by a heary ransom, had engaged to no hope of escape, he strangled himself at Sens on
furnish him with a large body of artificers skilled the 18th of August, A. D. 353. The medals which
in fabricating all instruments for the arts of peace assign to this prince the title of Augustus are
or war, and, worst of all, bad submitted to an deemed spurious by the best authorities. His
unheard of degradation by consenting to pay an name appears upon genuine coins under the form
annual tribute. These occurrences are believed Mag. or Magn. DECENTIUS, leaving it doubtful
to have bappened between the years A. D. 86-90, whether we ought to interpret the contraction by
but both the order and the details of the different | Magnus or Magnentius.
erents are presented in a most confused and per- Decentius is called the brother of Magentius by
plexing form by ancient authorities.
Victor, de Cues. 42, by Eutropius, x. 7, and by
Trajan soon after his accession determined to Zonaras, xiii. 8, 9; the kinsman (consanguineum, -
wipe out the stain contracted by his predecessor, rével ouvantouévov) by Victor, Epit. 42, and by
and at once refused to fulfil the conditions of the Zosimus, ii. 45, 54. See also Amm. Marc. xv. 6.
league. Quitting the city in his fourth consulship $ 4, xvi. 12. & 5; Fast. Idat. [11. R. ]
(A. D. 101), he led an army in person against the
Dacians, whom he defeated near Tapae, the scene
of their former misfortune, after an obstinate
struggle, in which both parties suffered sererely,
Pressing onwards, a second victory was gained by
Lusius Quietus, commander of the Moorish cavalry,
many strongholds were stormed, the spoils and
trophies taken from Fuscus were recovered, and
the capital, Sarmazegetusa (Zepuiseyedoúra), was
invested. Decebalus having in vain attempted to DE'CIA GENS, plebeian, but of high anti-
temporize, was at length compelled to repair to the quity, became illustrious in Roman history by two
presence of the prince, and to submit to the terms members of it sacrificing themselves for the pre-
imposed by the conqueror, who demanded not only servation of their country. The only cognomens
## p. 947 (#967) ############################################
DECIMIUS.
917
DECIUS.
that occur in this gens are Mrs and SUBULO: Samnium, both by his noble descent and his
for those who are mentioned without a surname wealth. In 1. c. 217 he joined the Roman army
bee Deco's
against Hannibal with 8000 foot and 500 horse, at
DECIANUS, APPULEIUS. 1. C. APPU- the command of the dictator Q. Fabius Maximus.
LEIUS DECIANt's was tribune of the people in B. C. With these forces Decimius appeared in the rear
90. In that year he brought a charge against L. of Hannibal, and thus decided a battle which was
Valerius Flaccus, the nature of which is unknown. taking a very unfavourable turn for Minucius, the
He also brought an accusation against L. Furius, magister equitum. Two castella were taken on
one of the tribunes of the year previous, who op- that day, and 6000 Carthaginians were slain, but
posed the recall of Metellus Numidicus. It seems the Romans too lost 5000 men. (Liv. xxii. 24. )
to have been on this occasion that he lamented be- 2. C. DECIMIUS, was sent in B. C. 171 as alm-
fore the public assembly the fate of L. Appuleius bassador to Crete to request the Cretans to send
Saturninus and Servilius Glaucia, and endeavoured auxiliaries for the war against Perseus of Mace-
to create disturbances to avenge their death. In donia. In 169 he was praetor peregrinus, and in
consequence of these proceedings he himself was the rear following he was sent with two others as
condemned, and went into exile to Pontus, where ambassador to Antiochus and Ptolemy, to bring
he engaged in the service of Mithridates. (Cic. about a reconciliation between the two kings, and
pro Rubir. perd. 9, pro Flacc. 32 ; Schol. Bobiens. to declare that, whichever of them should continue
p. 230, ed. Orelli; Val. Max. viii. 1. S 2; Ap-hostilities, should cease to be treated as the friend
pian, B. C. i. 33. )
and ally of Rome. On that occasion Decimius and
2. C. APPULEIUS DECIANUS, a son of No. 1, his colleagues visited the island of Rhodes at the
lived as negotiator in Asia Minor, at Pergamus, request of the Rhodians themselves, and on his
and at Apollonis. He was repeatedly charged return to Rome his report was in favour of the
with having committed acts of injustice and vio- Rhodians, in as much as he endeavoured to throw
lence towards the inhabitants of Apollonis, for he the guilt of their hostility towards Rome upon
appears to have been a person of a very avaricious some individuals only, while he tried to exculpate
and insolent character, and in the end he was con- the body of the people. (Liv. xlii. 35, xliii. 11,
demned by the praetor Flaccus, the son of the L. 15, xliv. 19, xlv. 10. )
Valerius Flaccus, who had been accused by De- 3. M. DECIMIU's, was sent with Tib. Claudius
cianus, the father. In B. c. 59, Decianus took Nero as ambassador to Crete and Rhodes in B. C.
vengeance upon Flaccus by supporting the charge 172, just before the outbreak of the war with
which D. Laelius brought against him. (Cic. pro Perseus, for the purpose of discovering whether
Flacc. 29-33 ; Schol. Bobiens. pp. 228, 230, 242, they had been tempted by Perseus, and of trying
ed. Orelli. ).
[L. S. ] to renew their friendship with Rome. (Liv. xlii.
DECIANUS, C. PLAU'TIUS, was consul in 19. )
B. C. 329 with L. Aemilius Mamercinus. It was 4. L. DECIMICS, was sent in B. c. 171 as ambas-
his province during his consulship to continue the sador to the Illyrian king Genthius, to try to win
war against Privernum, while his colleague was en- him over to the side of the Romans during the war
gaged in raising another army to meet the Gauls, who against Perseus. But he returned to Rome with-
were reported to be marching south ward. But this out having effected anything, and was suspected of
report proved to unfounded, and all the Roman having accepted bribes from the king. (Liv. xlii.
forces were now directed against Privernum. The 37, 45. )
town was taken, its walls were pulled down, and 5. C. DECIMIUS, a person wno had held the
a strong garrison was left on the spot. On his office of quaestor (quaestorius), and belonged to the
return Decianus celebrated a triumph. During party of Pompey. In B. C. 47 he was in the
the discussions in the senate as to what punish- island of Cercina to take care of the provisions for
ment was to be infiicted upon the Privernatans, the Pompeians, but on the arrival of Sallust, the
Decianus humanely endeavoured to alleviate their historian, who was then a general of Caesar,
fate. According to the Fasti, C. Plautius Decianus Decimius immediately quitted the island, and
was consul also the year following; but Livy fled in a small vessel. (Caes. Bell. Afr. 34. ) He
mentions in his stead P. Plautius Proculus. In seems to be the same as the C.
Decimius who was
B. C. 312, C. Plautius Decianus was censor with a friend of Atticus. (Cic. ad Att. ir. 16. ) (L. S. ]
Appius Claudius, and after holding the office eigh- DE'CIUS. 1. M. Decius, one of the depu-
teen nionths, he laid it down, in accordance with ties sent to the senate by the plebeians during
the lex Aemilia, while Appius Claudius, refusing their secession to the sacred mount in B. C. 495.
obedience to the law, remained censor alone. (Liv. (Dionys. vi. 88. )
viii. 20, 22, ix. 29, 33; Val. Max. vi. 2. 1; 2. M. Decius, tribune of the people in B. C.
Frontin. de Aquaed. i. 5; Diodor. xx. 36. ) (L. S. ] 311, when he carried a plebiscitum, that the
DECIA'NÚS CATUS. (Catus. ]
people should appoint duumviri narales to restore
DECI'DIUS SAXA. (Saxa. )
and equip the Roman fleet. (Liv. ix. 30. )
DECIMIUS. The Decimii appear to have 3. P. Decius, one of the legates who in B. C.
been originally a Samnite family of Bovianum, at 168 brought to Rome the news of the defeat of the
least the first of the name belonged to that place, Illyrians, and of the capture of their king Genthius.
and the others who occur in history were probably (Lir. xli. 3. )
his descendants, who after obtaining the Roman 4. P. Decil's, according to Cicero (de Orat. ii.
franchise settled at Rome. The only cognomen 31) and Aurelius Victor (de l'ir. Ill. 72), whereas
among the Decimii is Flavus. The following Liry (Epit. 6)) calls him Q. Decius, was tribune
list contains those who are mentioned without a of the people in B. c. 120. L. Opimius, who had
cognomen.
been consul the year before, was brought to trial
1. NUMERIUS DECIMIUS, of Borianum in Sam- by the tribune Decius for having caused the murder
nium, is called the most illustrious person in all of C. Gracchus, and for having thrown citizens
3 r 2
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948
DECIUS.
DECIUS.
inin prison without a judicial rerdict. The enemies Decius the wrongs he had inflicted upon Rhegium.
of Decius asserted that he had been induced by lle gave him something which he wils to apply to
bribes to bring forward this accusation. Four his eyes, and which, however painful it might be,
years later, B. c. 115, Decius was praetor urbanus, he was to continue till the physician should
and in that year he gave great offence to M. return froin Messina, The order was obeyed,
Acmilius Scaurus, who was then consul, by keep but the pain became at last quite unbearable,
ing his seat when the consul passed by liimn. The and Decins in the end found that he was quite
haughty Scaurus turned round and ordered him to blind. After the death of Pyrrhus, in B. c. 271,
risc, but when Decins refused, Scaurus tore his Fabricius was sent out against Rhegium ; he be-
gown and broke the chair of Decius to pieces; at sieged the place, and took it. All the survivors of
the same time he commanded that no one should the Campanian legion that fell into his hands, up-
receive justice at the hands of the refractory i wards of three hundred men, were sent to Rome,
praetor. It is not improbable that the hostile where they were scourged and beheaded in the
feeling between the two men may have arisen from forum. The citizens of Rhegium who were yes
the fact that Scaurus had induced Opimius to take alive were restored to their native place. Decius
up arms against C. Gracchus, to whose party put an end to himself in his prison ai Rome. (an
Decius evidently belonged. Cicero speaks of Decius pian, Samnit. Excerpt. ix. 1-3 ; Diodor. Fragm.
as an orator who emulated M. Fulvius Flaccus, the lib. xxii. ; Liv. Epit. 12, 15; Polyb. i. 7; Val.
friend of C. Gracchus, and remarks that he was Max. vii. 7. $ 15. )
(L. S. ]
as turbulent in his speeches as he was in life. It DECIUS, Roman emperor, A. D. 249–251,
is probably this Decins who is alluded to in a whose full name was C. MESSIUS QUINTUS
fragment of the poet Lucilius, which is preserved TRAJANUS DECHI'S, was born about the close
by Cicero. (De Orat. ii. 62, comp. ii. 30, 31, Brut. of the second century at Bubalia, a village in
28, l'art. orat. 30. )
Lower Pannonia, being the first of a long series
5. P. Decius, a colleague of M. Antony in the of monarchs who traced their origin to an Illy-
septemviratus. Cicero says of him, with a fine rian stock. We are altogether unacquainted with
irony, that he endeavoured to follow the example his early career, but he appears to have been
of his great ancestors (the Decii), by sacrificing entrusted with an important military command
himself to his debts, that is, by joining Antony, upon the Danube in a. d. 245, and four years
through whose influence he hoped to get rid of his afterwards was earnestly solicited by Philippus
debts. Be accompanied Antony in the war of to undertake the task of restoring subordination
Mutina, but was taken prisoner there. Afterwards, in the army of Moesia, which had been dis-
however, when Octavian wished for a reconcilia-organized by the revolt of Marinus. (Puulippus;
tion with Antony, he allowed Decius to return to Makinus. ] Decius accepted this appointment
his friend. (Cic. Phil. xi. 6, xiii. 13; Appian, with great reluctance, and many misgivings as to
B. C. iii. 80. )
the result. On his appearance, the troops deem-
6. Decius, is mentioned by Appian (B. C. iv. ing their guilt beyond forgiveness, ofiered the
27) anong those who were proscribed after the envoy the choice of death or of the throne. With
formation of the triumvirate of Antony, Octavian, the sword pointed to his heart he accepted the
and Lepidus. Decius and Cilo, on hearing that latter alternative, was proclaimed Augustus, and
their names were on the list, took to flight, but as forced by the rebels to march upon Italy, having
they were hurrying out of one of the gates of previously, according to Zonaras, written to as-
Rome, they were recognized by the centurions and sure his sovereign that his faith was still un-
put to death.
(L. S. ] broken, and that he would resign the purple, as
DE'CIUS JUBE'LLIUS, a Campanian, and soon as he could escape from the thraldom of the
commander of the Campanian legion which the legions. Philippus, not trusting these professions,
Romans stationed at Rhegium in B. c. 281 for the hastened to meet his rival in the field, encountered
protection of the place. Decius and his troops, \ him in the vicinity of Verona, was defeated, and
envious of the happiness which the inhabitants of slain. This event took place towards the end of
Rhegium enjoyed, and remembering the impunity A. D. 249.
with which the Mamertines had carried out their The short reign of the new prince, extending
disgraceful scheme, formed a most diabolical plan. to about thirty months, was chietiy occupied in
During the celebration of a festival, while all the warring against the Goths, who now, for the first
citizens were feasting in public, Decius and his time, appeared as a formidable foe on the north-
soldiers attacked them; the men were massacred eastern frontier, and having crossed the Danube,
and driven into exile, while the soldiers took the under Cniva their chief, were ravaging the
women to themselves. Decius put himself at the Thracian provinces. The details of their inva-
head of the city, acted as tyrannus perfectly inde- sion are to found in Jornandes, Zosimus, and
pendent of Roine, and formed connexions with the the fragments of Dexippus, but these accounts ap-
Mamertines in Sicily. He at first had endeavoured pear so contradictory, that it is impossible, in the
to palliate his crime by asserting that the Rhegines absence of an impartial historian, to explain or re-
intended to betray the Roman garrison to Pyrrhus. concile their statements. It would seem that the
During the war with Pyrrhus the Romans had no barbarians, in the first instance, repulsed Decius
time to look after and punish the miscreants at near Philippopolis, and were thus enabled to take
Rhegium, and Decius for some years enjoyed the that important city, but having lost their best
fruits of his crime unmolested. During that period troops during these operations, and finding them-
he was seized by a disease of the eyes, and not selves surrounded by the Romans who were now
venturing to trust a Rhegine physician, be sent for advancing from different points, they offered to
one io Messana. This physician was himself a purchase an unmolested retreat by the surrender
native of Rhegium, a fact which few persons knew, of their prisoners and plunder. These overtures
and he now took the opportunity to avenge on being rejected, the Goths turned to bay, and gave
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DECIUS.
949
DEICOON.
battle near Abricium late in the year a. d. 251. scarcely be pronounced fair or dispassionate, the
After a deadly struggle, their desperate valour, language of the latter especially being such as to
aided by the incautious confidence of the Ronans, mislead the unlearned reader both as to the nature
prevailed. The son of the emperor was slain by and extent of our information, and to induce him to
an arrow, while Decius himself, with his best conclude that we posses materials for pronouncing
troops, became entangled in a inarsh, and were a judgment which do not in reality exist.
cut to pieces or engulfed.
(Victor, de Cues. 29 ; Epit. 29; Eutrop. ix. 4 ;
Some proceedings in the civil administration of Trebell
. Pollio Valerian. c. l; Euseb. Hist.
this epoch, which at first sight would be con- Eccles. vi. 39, &c; Zosim. i. 21–23; Zonar. xii.
sidered as wholly without connexion with cach 19, 20; Jornandes, R. G. c. 16, &c.
