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Herennia EtruscillaWife of the Emperor of the Roman Empire Decius Trajan
Date of Birth: .
Country:  Italy |
Content:
- Herennia Etruscilla: Wife of Emperor Decius Trajan
- Marriage to Decius Trajan
- Regency and Legacy
- Numismatic Evidence
- Gold aurei
- Provincial Coinage
- Silver tetradrachms
Herennia Etruscilla: Wife of Emperor Decius Trajan
Birth and AncestryHerennia Etruscilla's origins remain shrouded in mystery, as is the case with many empresses of the 3rd century CE. Scholars speculate that her ancestors hailed from Etruria, a region in central Italy. She likely came from a senatorial family.
Marriage to Decius Trajan
Before 230 CE, Herennia Etruscilla married Decius Trajan, a successful general. Upon Decius's accession to the throne in 249 CE, she received the title of Augusta.
Regency and Legacy
In 251 CE, Herennia Etruscilla's husband and her son Herennius Etruscus perished in the Battle of Abritus. With their demise, she became regent for her younger son, Hostilian. Her reign was brief, as the boy was also killed shortly after. Her fate thereafter is unknown.
Numismatic Evidence
Herennia Etruscilla's presence in history is largely thanks to the coins minted in her honor. These coins comprise:
Gold aurei
Silver antoninianiBrass duplae sestertii
Sestertii
Dupondii
Asses
Struck in Rome, Mediolanum (Milan), and Antioch, these coins bear her likeness with the legend "HERENNIA ETRVSCILLA AVG" or "HER ETRVSCILLA AVG." The reverses depict deities such as Pudicitia, Fecunditas, and Juno.
Provincial Coinage
Beyond imperial coins, provincial mints also issued coins in Herennia Etruscilla's name, particularly in the eastern provinces. These coins often had different denominations and Greek legends, reflecting local traditions and languages. Herennia Etruscilla's name has been found on:
