Person · Figure
Emperor Decius
Roman emperor who ruled in 249–251 CE; the Sleepers narratives set their persecution in his reign.
Metadata
These are descriptive fields, not conclusions.
- Edition
- 3
Text
Decius ruled the Roman Empire from 249 to 251 CE. His reign is associated with a demand to sacrifice to traditional gods, the setting in which some accounts of the Sleepers of Ephesus place the youths’ refusal. Decius was a historical ruler, but his appearance in the story does not establish that the youths lived under him or that all its details date to his reign. [1] [2]
References and notes
- The page or portions specified in the reference statement were read; this does not claim a reading of the entire book or manuscript. British Museum full coin object entry read: Decius as ruler, dated 249–251, coin portrait; no image reuse license inferred. Return to the text ↑
- The page or portions specified in the reference statement were read; this does not claim a reading of the entire book or manuscript. Nicholas Sims-Williams, short complete entry read: legend set under Decius 249–251, not contemporary proof of legend's events. Return to the text ↑
Research history
Substantive changes are retained here. Minor copy edits remain in the internal operational log.
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Cite this record
IL Archive, «Emperor Decius», Edition 3, https://ilarchive.com/en/people/emperor-decius