Philip the Arab

• Philip the Arab (244-249 CE) was a Roman Emperor during the Crisis of the Third Century (235-284 CE). According to Eusebius he was the first Christian Emperor.
• Philip organised the Ludi Saeculares of 21 April 248 CE celebrating 1,000 years since the Foundation of Rome on 21st April 753 BCE.

1. BIOGRAPHICAL DETAILS

• NAME:
  • Marcus Julius Philippus
  • As Emperor: Caesar Marcus Julius Philippus Augustus
  • Known as ‘Philip the Arab’ or ‘Philippus Arabs’ because he came from Arabia Petraea.
• PHILIP THE ARAB’S DATES OF REIGN AS EMPEROR:
  • 244-September 249 CE
• FAMILY DYNASTY:
  • None
• PHILIP THE ARAB’S DATE OF BIRTH AND DEATH:
  • Born: c.204 CE Died: September 249 CE (Aged 45)
• PLACE OF BIRTH AND DEATH:
  • Born Philippopolis, Arabia Petraea. Died: Verona, Italia.
• PHILIP THE ARAB’S PREDECESSOR:
  • Gordian III
• PHILIP THE ARAB’S SUCCESSOR:
  • Decius
• HEIR TO THE THRONE BECAUSE:
  • He was one of the Emperors who briefly came to power during the period of Roman Civil Wars known as the Crisis of the Third Century.
  • He was appointed Prefect of the Praetorian Guard under Gordian III. When Gordian was killed in battle against the Persians, Philip the Arab was proclaimed Emperor.
• PHILIP THE ARAB’S FATHER:
  • Julius Marinus
• PHILIP THE ARAB’S MOTHER:
  • Unknown.
• PHILIP THE ARAB’S WIVES AND CHILDREN:
  • Marcia Otacilia Severa (married 234-249 CE)
    • Philippus II (238-249 CE)
    • Julia Severa (dates unknown)
    • Quintus Philippus Severus (b.247 CE)
• DIED PEACEFULLY OR ASSASSINATED:
  • Killed in battle during a Rebellion led by Decius, who then succeeded him.
• WHERE BURIED:
  • Unknown.
• PHILIP THE ARAB WAS FAMOUS BECAUSE:
  • Philip organised the Ludi Saeculares of 21 April 248 CE celebrating 1,000 years since the the foundation of Rome.
  • Philip the Arab was the first Christian Emperor, according to Eusebius. In his ‘Ecclesiastical History’, he says Philip may have converted to Christianity.
  • Philip devalued the Antoninianus in 249 CE, triggering riots and his ultimate downfall.

2. BRIEF SYNOPSIS

• The Ludi Saeculares (21 April 248 CE):

  • 1,000 years of Rome’s founding by Romulus on 21 April 753 BCE, was organised and celebrated by Philip who led the lavish Games.
  • Asinius Quadratus wrote the ‘History of one thousand years’ to commemorate the event.
  • At the Colosseum, 1,000 Gladiators died, along with hundreds of exotic wild beasts. There were Chariot Races. And after the customary sacrifices, there were theatrical productions held all over the city.
  • Despite these prestigious celebrations in 248 CE, the Empire was racked by multiple Germanic Invasions and several Usurpers challenging the Emperor.

• Vast Expenditure necessitated increased Taxation:

  • Philip embarked on a huge spending programme:
    1. The Ludi Saeculares celebrating 1,000 years since Rome’s Foundation.
    2. He rebuilt his home town, renaming it Phillipopolis in Arabia Petraea.
    3. He had to pay 500,000 Gold Denarii in Tribute to the Parthians as a result of the Peace Treaty with them.
    4. He bought off the German Tribes north of the Danube, to avoid invasion, but when he defaulted, they invaded anyway.
  • To pay for this he had to increase Taxation, which eventually provoked a Revolt in Syria.

• Four Usurpers proclaimed themselves Emperor:

• In 248 CE, four Usurpers appeared:
  1. The German Legions revolted and proclaimed their Commander Pacatianus as Emperor.
  2. An aristocrat, Jotapianus, revolted against the increased Taxes and declared himself Emperor in Syria.
  3. Closer to home, Silbannacus and Sponsianus proclaimed themselves Emperor.
  4. Philip the Arab offered his resignation to the Roman Senate who refused it, and Decius their leader was sent to the Danube to quell the revolt.

• Multiple Germanic Invasions:

  1. Already in 245 CE, the Carpi had crossed the Danube from Dacia into Moesia, but Philip had left Rome and successfully defeated them.
  2. Now in 248 CE, taking advantage of all this confusion, there were multiple Germanic Invasions:
  3. The Quadi and their allies raided Pannonia.
  4. The Goths raided Moesia and Thrace.
  5. The Carpi returned to raid Moesia and Thrace.

• Devaluation of the Currency:

  • In 249 CE, Philip debased the Antoninianus, triggering riots in Egypt, affecting the Alexandrian Grain Fleet and creating a grain shortage in Rome.

• Defeat and Death at Verona:

  • In the spring of 249 CE, the Danube Legions declared Decius Emperor, and in the Summer his army approached Rome.
  • He defeated Philip’s army at Verona. Philip was found and killed later in September, along with his son.

3. BIBLIOGRAPHY

• CLASSICAL SOURCES:
  • Historia Augusta