Hostilian (230-251) was the second son of Emperor Trajan Decius and younger brother of Emperor Herennius Etruscus. He became an imperial prince after his father ascended to the throne; but was constantly in the shadow of his brother; who was heir.

After Decius and Herennius were killed during the Battle of Abrittus on the Danubian frontier in 251; the armies in the Danube declared respected General Trebonianus Gallus as emperor; while Rome acknowledged Hostilian as the heir. To avoid another civil war; Trebonianus adopted Hostilian and chose to respect Rome's will; the two becoming co-emperors.

Only a few months into their co-rule however; the Plague of Cyprian broke out across the Empire; and Hostilian died in the rapidly spreading epidemic; aged 21. Hostilian became the first emperor in 40 years to die of natural causes.