The First Roman Emperor To Fall In Battle (Against Foreign Troops)
Most Roman leaders were killed by other Romans
After the Pax Romana, becoming the Roman Emperor was an incredibly dangerous proposition. In a study conducted by Joseph Homer Saleh, it was found that 62% of all Roman emperors died a violent death. Many of them died within the first year of ascending to the throne. Assassination was the most common cause of death, but dying in battle was also a risk. Despite the fact that death was extremely likely, many people vied for the Roman throne and went to extreme lengths to secure their power.
Despite the violence that stalked fresh Roman emperors, it took nearly three centuries for one to fall in battle with foreign adversaries. Up until 250 CE, emperors died by their own hand or overwhelmingly at the hands of other Romans. Despite fighting in places like Gaul, Syria, and Persia, Roman emperors oversaw expansive campaigns and always lived to tell the tale (unless one of their generals or bodyguards caught them in the ribs on the return trip.)
Ironically, the first emperor to die in battle at the hands of foreign soldiers oversaw the downfall and death of his predecessor at the hands of Romans. This period perfectly encapsulates the chaos of the middle Roman period. Emperor Decius took power in 249 CE after he…
