Decebalus was a king of Dacia who fought against the Roman Empire in three wars. He is known for consolidating his rule and defeating a Roman invasion during the reign of Domitian, securing a period of independence. He was eventually defeated by Trajan in 102 AD and made a client king, leading to a final Roman invasion in 105 AD. Trajan destroyed the Dacian capital, Sarmizegetusa, in 106 AD, and Decebalus died by suicide to avoid capture. Here are some key points about Decebalus' life:
- Decebalus was the last king of Dacia who fought against the Roman Empire in three wars, with varying success, during his reign from 87 to 106 AD.
- After the death of Great King Burebista, Dacia split into smaller kingdoms. Decebalus appeared to have risen to prominence in the court of the Dacian king Duras, who claimed authority over all Dacian territory.
- In 85 AD, the Dacian army began minor raids upon the heavily fortified Roman province of Moesia, located south of the Danube. In 86 King Duras ordered a more vigorous attack south into Moesia.
- In the reign of Domitian, Decebalus defeated a Roman invasion, securing a period of independence during which he consolidated his rule. This led to a peace treaty where the Romans agreed to pay tribute to Dacia.
- When Trajan came to power, his armies invaded Dacia to weaken its threat to the Roman border territories of Moesia. Decebalus was defeated in 102 AD but remained in power as a client king. He continued to assert his independence, leading to a final Roman invasion in 105 AD, which resulted in the destruction of the Dacian capital, Sarmizegetusa.
- Dio Cassius, a historian, described Decebalus as a shrewd and skillful warrior who was an expert in ambuscades and pitched battles. Decebalus' victory in the second war greatly increased his prestige.
- Not much is known about Decebalus' early life or background. According to an ancient Dacian pot bearing the words "Decebalus per Scorilo," Decebalus may have been the son of Scorilo.
