The New International Encyclopædia/Decebalus

​DECEBALUS, dē̇-sĕb′ȧ-lŭs (Lat., from Gk. Δεκέβαλος, Dekebalos; supposed to be a title of honor equivalent to king). A king of Dacia, who for a number of years was one of the most formidable of the enemies of Rome and was a military leader of no mean ability. He crossed the Danube during Domitian’s reign, overran Mœsia, and defeated the Imperial army under Cornelius Fuscus. Later he forced Domitian to conclude a treaty, according to the terms of which the latter was to pay an annual tribute. He was completely overthrown by Trajan in A.D. 105, and his territories were reduced to a Roman province. He committed suicide to escape capture by the conquerors about 106.

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