The life of Philip the Arab
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Birth name:
Other names: Born: Died: Cause of death: Reign: Co-emperor: Dynasty: Predecessor: Successor: |
Marcus Julius Philippus
Caesar Marcus Julius Philippus Augustus (as emperor) c. 204 AD - Philippopolis, Arabia Petraea 249 AD - Verona, Italy (aged 45) Killed in battle 244 –249 AD (5 years) Philip II None Gordian III Decius & Herennius Etruscus |
Early Life
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Marcus Julius Philippus, later known as Philip the Arab, was born around the year 204 in Philippopolis, Arabia Petraea, located in modern day Syria. Philip's family were of Arab origin, but not especially wealthy or powerful, but did enjoy some influence in the local area. Philip furthered his own social standing by marrying Marcia Otacilia Severa who was the daughter of a Roman Governor. Together they had three children.
Philip's lucky break in life came through his brother, Gaius Julius Priscus, who had served as a member of the Praetorian Guard during the reign of Gordian III. In 243 Timesitheus, the father-in-law of Gordian III and current Praetorian Prefect died, leaving the position open. Priscus made sure that Philip was appointed as the new Praetorian Prefect. In his position they could effectively rule the Roman Empire with the young Gordian III as their puppet. However before their plan could come into action, Gordian III died, probably in battle against the Sassanids, leaving a power vacuum in Rome. There are some suggestions that Philip conspired to kill Gordian III, but it is unknown how true these accusations are. Whatever the truth, it was indeed Philip who succeeded Gordian III as Emperor of Rome. Reign
Philip's first act as emperor was to make a peace treaty with Shapur I, ruler of the Sassanids. While it was potentially an embarrassing first act it saved Philip from further issues that would have come about had the conflict continued. As part of the treaty, Rome was allowed to keep recently conquered Osroene and Mesopotamia, but they were forced to cede Armenia to Shapur I. Rome was also required to pay a large indemnity to Shapur I. With this treaty, Philip had managed to bring order to the eastern fringes of the Roman Empire and secured his position as emperor. Many in Rome were tired of war and this came as good news. Before leaving for Rome, Philip had a monument to the fallen Gordian III constructed while his ashes were sent to Rome where Philip was to deify him.
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Bust of Philip the Arab. By George Shuklin, CC BY 2.5, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=6216181
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Philip made sure to be on good terms with the Senate in order to further solidify his position as emperor. He made a point of championing Roman virtues and traditions in order to align himself with the Senate. Philip also began work on completely reinventing his home town. He renamed it Philippopolis and gave it civic status. The town was soon filled with statues of Philip and new buildings. However the cost of this was astronomical, and in order to pay for his ambitious project Philip was forced to raise taxes steeply and stopped paying subsidies to the northern tribes of the Danube which had kept the region safe.
In a direct response to Philip ceasing to pay the subsidies, the Carpi crossed the Danube and moved into Moesia where they were poised to invade the Balkans. Philip's brother-in-law Severanus commanded the region but was unable to stop the barbarian tide. Philip responded by travelling to the region with an army where he chased the invading tribes back into Dacia. In the summer of 246 Philip was satisfied with his efforts and claimed victory against the Carpi, earning himself the title of Carpicus Maximus. By now, however, the war with Shapur and Persia had been reignited after the Arsacids of Armenia had refused to acknowledge Shapur I as their ruler.
In a direct response to Philip ceasing to pay the subsidies, the Carpi crossed the Danube and moved into Moesia where they were poised to invade the Balkans. Philip's brother-in-law Severanus commanded the region but was unable to stop the barbarian tide. Philip responded by travelling to the region with an army where he chased the invading tribes back into Dacia. In the summer of 246 Philip was satisfied with his efforts and claimed victory against the Carpi, earning himself the title of Carpicus Maximus. By now, however, the war with Shapur and Persia had been reignited after the Arsacids of Armenia had refused to acknowledge Shapur I as their ruler.
The Ludi Saeculares
Despite the turmoil and chaos raging on the frontiers of the Roman Empire, Philip returned to Rome in the summer of 247. Here he planned an extravagant event in 248 known as the Secular Games to celebrate the 1000th anniversary of Rome's founding. Early the next year Philip lead the celebrations of the anniversary. Special coins were issued to honour the foundation of Rome, grand festivities and games were held and the Colosseum was used for gladiator and animal fights. The events of the Ludi Saeculares were well documented and by all accounts were incredibly popular. In addition to the games, Philip celebrated by raising his son to the position of co-Augustus.
Death & legacy
Although there was a festive mood, especially in Rome, the troubles on the frontiers had not gone away. The legions of Pannonia and Moesia were still threatened by the Carpi from across the Danube and believed Philip had not done enough to guarantee them safety. Angered by the disinterest of their emperor, the legions of Pannonia and Moesia proclaimed a new emperor - Tiberius Claudius Pacatianus. The turmoil gave the Germanic tribes the perfect chance to strike. Soon Pannonia was under invasion by Germanic tribes and Moesia by the Goths. The Carpi also saw opportunity once more, and they too joined the attacks on Moesia and now Dacia.
With the northern frontiers in utter chaos, Philip tried to resign as emperor but the Senate gave him their full support. With renewed vigor, Philip decided to send Gaius Messius Quintus Decius, one of his greatest supporters, to the regions of Pannonia and Moesia to quell the rebellion by Pacatianus and the invading tribes.
Decius was ultimately successful in putting down the revolts and invasions. But the legions of the Danube did not want Philip as their emperor. Decius' display of leadership had impressed them, and now they proclaimed him as their emperor. In the spring of 249, Decius lead his legions south towards Rome. Philip's support by now was rapidly declining. The armies of Philip and Decius met near Verona in the summer of 249. Decius tried to reason with Philip to stop any bloodshed, but eventually the two forces clashed. Decius emerged victorious and Philip was killed, possibly either in battle or by his own soldiers wishing to end the conflict.
Philip proved himself as a capable administrator, but his military expertise was not enough to stop the foes that threatened the Roman Empire and his own rule. With Philip's death, Decius became the new Roman Emperor.
With the northern frontiers in utter chaos, Philip tried to resign as emperor but the Senate gave him their full support. With renewed vigor, Philip decided to send Gaius Messius Quintus Decius, one of his greatest supporters, to the regions of Pannonia and Moesia to quell the rebellion by Pacatianus and the invading tribes.
Decius was ultimately successful in putting down the revolts and invasions. But the legions of the Danube did not want Philip as their emperor. Decius' display of leadership had impressed them, and now they proclaimed him as their emperor. In the spring of 249, Decius lead his legions south towards Rome. Philip's support by now was rapidly declining. The armies of Philip and Decius met near Verona in the summer of 249. Decius tried to reason with Philip to stop any bloodshed, but eventually the two forces clashed. Decius emerged victorious and Philip was killed, possibly either in battle or by his own soldiers wishing to end the conflict.
Philip proved himself as a capable administrator, but his military expertise was not enough to stop the foes that threatened the Roman Empire and his own rule. With Philip's death, Decius became the new Roman Emperor.
Trivia
- The location of Philip's birth was in the Roman province of Arabia, which is how he got the title 'The Arab'.
- Despite making peace with the Sassanids after a series of humiliating defeats, Philip claimed victory and gave himself the titles of Parthicus Adiabenicus, Persicus Maximus and Parthicus Maximus.
- After his victory against the tribes of the Danube, Philip gave himself the title of Carpicus Maximus.
- Some sources suggest that Philip the Arab was the first Christian Roman Emperor. According to Eusebius, Philip was a Christian, but was not allowed to enter Easter vigil services until he confessed his sins and was ordered to sit among the penitents, which he did willingly. However modern historians state Philip may have just been tolerant towards Christians and thus Constantine the Great is still widely regarded as the first Christian Roman Emperor.
- It is unknown what happened to Philip's children after his death, one may have been killed but the others seemingly vanished.
- Some sources claim that Philip's father was the leader of a group of criminal outlaws.
- Philip gave his brother the title of rector Orientis, granting him control over many of the Eastern provinces.