Decebalus (king of the Dacians from c. AD 86/87)

Dio writes that he knew war as few did: he knew when to strike and when to withdraw, and could exploit both victory and defeat. He took power after the Romans’ defeat in Moesia (AD 85; the year he took the throne is disputed). During his reign the praetorian prefect Cornelius Fuscus was killed and his army destroyed. In AD 89 he made peace with Domitian: he received large sums, craftsmen of every trade and a promise of further money. The Romans considered it a disgrace.