Trajan Decius elevated his son
Hostilian to co-emperor in
251. He was apparently much younger than his older brother
Herennius Etruscus, and did not have much power; his mother Herennia Etruscilla acted as regent. Hostilian died of
plague after his father and brother died in the
Battle of Abrittus. This solved the minor succession crisis created when the army proclaimed
Trebonianus Gallus emperor.