Philip the Arab | |||||
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33rd Emperor of the Roman Empire | |||||
Reign | 244–249 | ||||
Predecessor | Gordian III | ||||
Successor | Decius and Herennius Etruscus | ||||
Born | c. 204 Philippopolis, Arabia Petraea |
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Died | 249 (aged 45) Verona, Italia |
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Wife | |||||
Issue | Marcus Julius Philippus Severus (Philippus II, 238–249) | ||||
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Full name | |
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Marcus Julius Philippus (from birth to accession); Caesar Marcus Julius Philippus Augustus (as emperor) |
Marcus Julius Philippus (Latin: Marcus Iulius Philippus Augustus;c. 204 – 249 AD), also known commonly by his nickname Philip the Arab (Latin: Philippus Arabus), also known as Philip, was Roman Emperor from 244 to 249. He was born in Arabia Petraea, the Roman province of Arabia, in a city situated in modern-day Syria. He went on to become a major figure in the Roman Empire. He achieved power after the death of Gordian III, quickly negotiating peace with the Persian Sassanid Empire. During his reign, the city of Rome celebrated its millennium.
Among early Christian writers, Philip had the reputation of being sympathetic to the Christian faith. Probably for this reason it was even claimed by some that he had converted to Christianity, which would have made him the first Christian emperor. He supposedly tried to celebrate Easter with Christians in Antioch, but the bishop Saint Babylas made him stand with the penitents. Philip and his wife received letters from Origen.
Philip was overthrown and killed following a rebellion led by his successor, Gaius Messius Quintus Decius.
Little is known about Philip's early life and political career. He was born in what is today Shahba, about 90 kilometres (56 mi) southeast of Damascus, in the Trachonitis district. At the time this was in the Roman province of Arabia, and Glen Bowersock believes that Philip was indeed of Arab origin. He was the son of a local citizen, Julius Marinus, possibly of some importance. Allegations from later Roman sources (Historia Augusta and Epitome de Caesaribus) that Philip had a very humble origin or even that his father was a leader of brigands are not accepted by modern historians.