v08_0388 - ETRUSCILLA Sesterce, (GB, Æ 30)

HERENNIA ETRUSCILLA

(+251)

Wife of Trajan Decius, Mother of Herennius Etruscus and Hostilian - Augusta

Étruscille comes from the Italian aristocracy. She was about forty years old when she received the title of augusta in 249, as part of the second issue of Trajan Decius. The following year, his eldest son Herennius Etruscus received the title of Caesar, then was proclaimed august when his father left to fight the Goths. They will both find death there. Before leaving, Trajan Decius names Caesar his second son, Hostilian, who is proclaimed august after the death of his father and his brother, perhaps at the instigation of the new august, Trebonian Galle. Étruscille, who remained in Rome, continues to be associated with coinage. Hostilian died at the end of the summer or at the beginning of the autumn of 251, victim of the plague or of his protector, Trebonian Galle, who hastened to proclaim his son Volusian august. Etruscille disappears from the coinage. She retreats into private life or is perhaps murdered, history does not say.