Gallus and the Death of Origen

Decius had ruled not quite two whole years when he was slaughtered together with his sons, and Gallus succeeded him. At this time Origen died, having completed sixty-nine years of life. Dionysius, writing to Hermammon, says this about Gallus: “But Gallus too failed to recognize the evil of Decius, nor did he look ahead to what had brought him down. He tripped over the same stone, though it lay before his eyes. When his reign was going well and things were going as he wished, he drove away the holy men who were interceding with God for his peace and health. So, along with them, he drove away their prayers on his behalf as well.” [a]