Everything about Philip The Arab totally explained
agree that he was of Arab descent who gained Roman citizenship through his father, a man of considerable influence. Many citizens from the provinces took Roman names upon acquiring citizenship. This makes tracing his Arabic blood line difficult. However, it's documented that Rome used the
Ghassan tribe from the
Azd of
Yemen as vassals to keep the neighboring northern Arabs in check. Arabic Oracles speak of a local Sheikh, Uthaina, who was reported to have risen from the ranks to command the Eastern armies of the Roman Empire. This strengthens the possibility of Philip's Arab descent to some degree.
The name of Philip's mother is unknown, but sources refer to a brother,
Gaius Julius Priscus, a member of the
Praetorian guard under
Gordian III (238–244). In
234, Philip married
Marcia Otacilia Severa, daughter of a Roman Governor. They had two children: a son named Marcus Julius Philippus Severus (
Philippus II) in
238 and according to numismatic evidence they'd a daughter called Julia Severa or Severina, whom the ancient Roman sources don't mention.
Political career
In
243, during Gordian III's campaign against
Shapur I of Persia, the
Praetorian prefect Timesitheus died under unclear circumstances. At the suggestion of his brother Priscus, Philip became the new Praetorian prefect, with the intention that the two brothers would control the young Emperor and rule the Roman world as unofficial regents. Following a military defeat, Gordian III died in 244 under circumstances that are still debated. While some claim that Philip conspired in his murder, other accounts (including one coming from the Persian point of view) state that Gordian died in battle. Whatever the case, Philip assumed the purple following Gordian's death. Philip wasn't willing to repeat the mistakes of previous claimants, and was aware that he'd to return to
Rome in order to secure his position with the
senate. He thus travelled west, after concluding a peace treaty with Shapur I, and left his brother Priscus as extraordinary ruler of the Eastern provinces. In Rome he was confirmed
Augustus, and nominated his young son
Caesar and heir.
Philip's rule started with yet another
Germanic incursion on the provinces of
Pannonia and the
Goths invaded
Moesia (modern-day
Serbia and
Bulgaria) in the
Danube frontier. They were finally defeated in the year
248, but the
legions were not satisfied with the result, probably due to a low share of the plunder, if any. Rebellion soon arose and
Tiberius Claudius Pacatianus was proclaimed emperor by the troops. The uprising was crushed and Philip nominated
Gaius Messius Quintus Decius as governor of the province. Future events would prove this to be a mistake. Pacatianus' revolt wasn't the only threat to his rule: in the East,
Marcus Jotapianus led another uprising in response to the oppressive rule of
Priscus and the excessive taxation of the Eastern provinces. Two other usurpers,
Marcus Silbannacus and
Sponsianus, are reported to have started rebellions without much success.
In April
248, Philip had the honour of leading the celebrations of the one thousandth birthday of Rome, which according to tradition was
founded in
753 BC by
Romulus.
He combined the anniversary with the celebration of Rome's alleged tenth
saeculum. According to contemporary accounts, the festivities were magnificent and included spectacular games,
ludi saeculares, and theatrical presentations throughout the city. In the coliseum, more than 1,000 gladiators were killed along with hundreds of exotic animals including hippos, leopards, lions, giraffes, and one rhinoceros. The events were also celebrated in literature, with several publications, including
Asinius Quadratus's
History of a Thousand Years, specially prepared for the anniversary.
Despite the festive atmosphere, discontent in the legions was growing.
Decius (249–251) was proclaimed Emperor by the Danubian armies in the spring of 249 and immediately marched to Rome. Philip's army met the usurper near modern
Verona that summer. Decius won the battle and Philip was killed, either in the fighting or assassinated by his own soldiers who were eager to please the new ruler. When the news of Decius' success reached Rome, Philip's eleven-year-old son and heir was also murdered.
Religious Beliefs
Later tradition, including the historian
Eusebius in his
Ecclesiastical History, stated that Philip was the first
Christian Roman emperor. Apologists for Constantine, baptised on his deathbed and generally identified as the first Christian emperor, describe Philip's adherence as doubtful because non-Christian writers don't mention the fact, and throughout his reign Philip continued to follow the
state religion. Eusebius, describing Philip "as a Christian" discussed his acceptance by the bishop to participate in Passover prayers. Critics ascribe Eusebius' claim as probably due to the tolerance Philip showed towards Christians.
Saint Quirinus of Rome was, according to a legendary account, the son of Philip the Arab.
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