Despite the worsening state of the Empire, Philip the Arab (244-249) created a superb series of coins in 248 to celebrate the millennium of the foundation of Rome. The emperors Valerian (253-260) and his son, Gallienus (253-268), had to deal with several invasions of the Empire by German tribes and the Persians. The defeat and capture of Valerian by the Persians was a humiliating disaster for the Empire and marked the nadir of Rome's fortunes in the third century. The emperors Claudius II Gothicus (268 - 270) and Quintillus (270) were powerless to reverse the decline. James R. Wadman B.A., M.A. [History and Archaeology] for TimeLine Originals

Decius may have been born around 201 to a senatorial family. He was governor in Moesia in the mid 230s. Decius married Herennia Cupressenia Etruscilla. Philip the Arab sent Decius to restore order along the Danube. When he arrived, local troops killed Marinus who had established himself as emperor in the area. The troops named Decius emperor and asked him to lead them in revolt against Philip the Arab. After Philip died, either in the fighting or by assassination, Decius was made emperor. Decius took on the name "Trajan" partly for its association with the area in which he had served and partly because of the respect in which Trajan was held. He implemented a building plan and, according to Christian sources, a persecution. Decius died while on campaign near Nicopolis with his son Herennius Etruscus fighting the Goths at Abrittus, late in A.D. 251.

Herennia Etruscilla was the wife of Trajan Decius and the mother or Herennia Etruscus and Hostilian. As with most third century Roman empresses, very little about her is known. She lived to sink into obscurity after her husband and sons perished. She probably retained the title of Augusta under Trebonianus Gallus and coins may have been struck for her as late as 253 A.D.

Herennius Etruscus was born in Pannonia sometime between 220 and 230, and was thus old enough to do military service during his father's reign. Judging by his boyish portrait on extant coins, Hostilian was considerably younger. He remained in Rome with his mother, where they presumably sought to ensure senatorial and popular loyalty to the regime. Whatever the difference in their ages was, in the year 250 officially associated them in power by appointing them Caesars. The title "Prince of the Youth" (princeps iuventutis) may have initially distinguished the elder son, but by 251 Hostilian was accorded the same titular dignity. Nevertheless, Herennius clearly overshadowed his younger brother. By the end of his reign, had elevated his son to the rank of Augustus, a distinction which Hostilian never enjoyed while his father and brother lived.

Publius Licinius Valerianus held important posts, both civil and military, under the emperors Decius and Gallus. After the short reign of the former general Aemilianus, Valerian was proclaimed emperor. In 257 he organized a general persecution of the Christians. Although not an incapable man, he was nevertheless unsuited to rule in such a critical time, for Northern Italy, Greece, and Asia Minor were falling to the barbarians and to the Persians. Appointing his son, Gallienus, as coregent, Valerian undertook a campaign in the East against Shapur I of Persia, who destroyed the Roman army and took the emperor prisoner. Valerian died in captivity and was succeeded by Gallienus.

Gallienus was the son of Valerian I and was named Caesar at his father's accession to the throne in 253 A.D. Upon his father's capture by the Parthians he assumed the rank of sole Augustus and began numerous reforms and military campaigns to defend the empire, as much from usurpers as from barbarians. At the same time he presided over perhaps the last flowering of classical Roman culture, patronizing poets, artists and philosophers. Gallienus was assassinated while besieging Milan in March, A.D. 268.

Cornelia Salonina was the wife of Gallienus and mother of Valerian II and Saloninus. A very beautiful and intelligent woman, she was extremely loyal to her husband. Opinion is divided as to whether she was murdered in the purge of Gallienus family after his murder, or if she survived.

Valerian II (P Cornelius Licinius Valerianus)was the eldest son of Gallienus and Salonina. Shortly after Gallienus' elevation to the role of joint emperor with Valerian Senior the younger Valerian (II) was accorded the title Caesar, probably during 255 A.D. Coins began to be issued in his name with the idea of establishing an Imperial dynasty extending to a third generation, something not seen in the Roman world for many years. Unfortunately the younger Valerian was murdered some time around 257 A.D, possibly at the hands of his protector, Ingenuus.

Saloninus was one of the sons of Gallienus and Salonina. After the death of his older brother Valerian II, he was made Caesar late in 258 A.D. and sent to oversee the western regions, aided by his praetorian prefect Silvanus and the governor of Germany, Postumus. In 260 A.D., the same year his grandfather was captured by the Sassinians, Postumus rebelled and besieged him at Cologne. He was made Augustus in June or autumn of 260 A.D. but within a few weeks or months of his accession he was captured and executed by Postumus.