v55_0208 - PHILIPPUS Octochalque

PHILIPPUS

(03/244-09/249)

Philippe was born in Bostra in Trachonitis, a province of Arabia, hence the nickname of the Emperor. He was appointed Prefect of the Praetorium after the disappearance of Timésithée, father-in-law of Gordian III, in 243. Philip had Gordian assassinated or allowed to be assassinated at the beginning of 244, then hastened to conclude an infamous peace with the Sassanids. He pays them a tribute of 500,000 denarii. He named his son Philip Caesar in 244 and his wife Otacilia Sévéra augusta. In 247, Philip raises his son to august. He led a brilliant campaign against the Quades and the Carpes who had invaded Dacia. The great event of the reign of Philip is the commemoration of the millennium of Rome which begins on April 21, 247. Several usurpers, including Jotapien and Pacatian, proclaim themselves august at the end of the reign. Philippe instructs Decius, commander of the legions of Pannonia, to restore order on the Danube. The troops, against his will, proclaim Decius august in June or July 249. Philip dies fighting the troops of Decius in September 249.