Volusianus, 251-253

Gaius Vibius Afinius Gallus Veldumnianus Volusianus was Roman Emperor from 251 to 253. He was the son of Trebonianus Gallus and his wife Afinia Gemina Baebiana. His father appointed him as caesar after he took over the throne from Traianus Decius, who had fallen in battle. The son of the old emperor - Hostilian - was appointed by Gallus as his co-regent and augustus to bind his own family more closely to the old rule.

Hostilian, however, died in the same year in a rampant epidemic and so Volusian was appointed augustus. The brief reign of father and son was marked by the plague, a renewed invasion of the Sassanids and increasing raids of the Goths. Volusian was killed by mutineers with his father when they made their way north to the Danube to face the usurper Aemilian.

Due to the brevity of his rule, Volusian was probably not a prolific minting authority. His coins are distributed only over a few types. His issues as caesar are rare. The antoniniani and the few bronze coins promise a secure and benevolent rule with images of Concordia and Libertas. Apollo and Pietas are to protect against the plague. The images of the Juno Martialis remain mysterious and singular in the entire imperial coinage of Rome: The goddess sits in a round temple, holds ears of corn and is sometimes accompanied by a peacock.