Trebonianus Gallus (251-253 A.D.) - Roman Emperor

Definition: Gallus was a third century Roman emperor who came to power through the army and was later assassinated by the troops.

Gaius Vibius Trebonianus Gallus (born c. 206 A.D.) married Afinia Gemina Baebiana by whom he had a son, Gaius Vibius Volusianus, and a daughter, Vibia Galla. He was appointed governor of Upper Moesia at which time he became involved in the wars of the emperor Decius. When Decius was killed during an expedition into the Lower Danube, Gallus was appointed emperor by the army. Gallus named the surviving son of Decius, Hostilian, co-emperor and made his own son Volusianus Caesar. After an unpopular peace treaty with the Goths in 251, Gallus and his co-emperor went to Rome where Hostilian contracted and died of plague. Volusianus was elevated to co-emperor. During the reign of Gallus, the Persian king Shapur annexed Syria. Gallus' replacement governor of Upper Moesia, Marcus Aemilius Aemilianus, violated the terms of the treaty with the Goths. They responded by invading the Lower Danube. Marcus Aemilius Aemilianus defeated the Goths, in return for which, his troops named him emperor. Gallus and his army were moving to block Aemilianus' entry into Italy, but they were too late and the troops mutinied, assassinating Gallus and Volusianus.

Source: DIR: Trebonianus Gallus and Gaius Vibius Volusianus