DOI Artikel:
Kaczanowicz, Wieslaw: Propaganda of Philip the arabian's dynastic idea (244-249 A.D.): Numismatic evidence
DOI Seite / Zitierlink:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.21228#0084
Wiesław Kaczanowicz
(Silesian University, Katowice)
PROPAGANDA OF PHILIP THE ARABIAN'S
DYNASTIC IDEA (244-249 A.D.).
NUMISMATIC EYIDENCE
It is notable that the most prominent motif in the coinage of the Roman ruler
Philip the Arabian is the emperor's family.1
Thus, there is the bronze medallion (?) whose obverse bears the legend CON-
CORDIA AVGVSTORVM and the busts of the emperor and his son Philip II
facing each other. The reverse of this uniąue piece features the legend ADVENTVS
AVGG accompanied by a rendition of both emperors on horseback. Ahead of
them is a personification of Victory among soldiers.2
Another medallion, also in bronze (?), has an identical obverse inscription,
CONCORDIA AVGVSTORVM, also with images of Philip I and II. The reverse
has the legend ADLOCVTIO AVGVSTORVM and shows both emperors and an
officer standing together on a platform and speaking to soldiers.3
There is also a gold medallion of Philip the Arabian, dated 248 and signed
PONTIFEX MAX. TR. P. V COS III P.P. on the reverse. The design that goes
with it shows the emperor being "crowned" by Victory and also an effigy of his
son. The composition is complemented by a soldier in a ąuadriga.4
We know of silver antoniniani of Philip the Arabian dated approximately at
244-247 A.D., whose obverses bear the legend M. IVL. PHILIPPVS AVG. M.
IVL. PHILIPPVS N.C. and the busts of both rulers being "crowned" by Victory
standing between them. The reverses, both of the LIBERALITAS AVG. II type,
present a personification of Liberalitas holding an abacus and comucopia.5 6
Other bronze coins of Philip the Arabian feature both rulers on their reverses
only. They are LIBERALITAS AVGG S.C. asses. Both Philips are seen standing
on a rostrum accompanied by soldiers, a symbol of Liberalitas, and a civilian.h
Sesterces and asses of the type LIBERALITAS AYGG S.C. show the emperors
1 Cf. W. Kaczanowicz, Aspekty ideologiczne w rzymskim mennictwie lat 235-284 n.e. {Ideological As-
pects in Roman Coinage 235-284 A.D.} (Katowice: 1990), pp. 40-42, 44. For morę on this ruler, see esp.
L. De Blois, "The Reign of the Emperor Philip the Arabian," Talanta, X/XI 1978/79, pp. 11-43.
2 RIC IV/3, p. 92, No. a.
3 Ibid., p. 93, No. b, cf. No. c.
4 Ibid., p. 70, No. 11.
5 Ibid., p. 74, No. 56.
6 Ibid., p. 91, No. 179.
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(Silesian University, Katowice)
PROPAGANDA OF PHILIP THE ARABIAN'S
DYNASTIC IDEA (244-249 A.D.).
NUMISMATIC EYIDENCE
It is notable that the most prominent motif in the coinage of the Roman ruler
Philip the Arabian is the emperor's family.1
Thus, there is the bronze medallion (?) whose obverse bears the legend CON-
CORDIA AVGVSTORVM and the busts of the emperor and his son Philip II
facing each other. The reverse of this uniąue piece features the legend ADVENTVS
AVGG accompanied by a rendition of both emperors on horseback. Ahead of
them is a personification of Victory among soldiers.2
Another medallion, also in bronze (?), has an identical obverse inscription,
CONCORDIA AVGVSTORVM, also with images of Philip I and II. The reverse
has the legend ADLOCVTIO AVGVSTORVM and shows both emperors and an
officer standing together on a platform and speaking to soldiers.3
There is also a gold medallion of Philip the Arabian, dated 248 and signed
PONTIFEX MAX. TR. P. V COS III P.P. on the reverse. The design that goes
with it shows the emperor being "crowned" by Victory and also an effigy of his
son. The composition is complemented by a soldier in a ąuadriga.4
We know of silver antoniniani of Philip the Arabian dated approximately at
244-247 A.D., whose obverses bear the legend M. IVL. PHILIPPVS AVG. M.
IVL. PHILIPPVS N.C. and the busts of both rulers being "crowned" by Victory
standing between them. The reverses, both of the LIBERALITAS AVG. II type,
present a personification of Liberalitas holding an abacus and comucopia.5 6
Other bronze coins of Philip the Arabian feature both rulers on their reverses
only. They are LIBERALITAS AVGG S.C. asses. Both Philips are seen standing
on a rostrum accompanied by soldiers, a symbol of Liberalitas, and a civilian.h
Sesterces and asses of the type LIBERALITAS AYGG S.C. show the emperors
1 Cf. W. Kaczanowicz, Aspekty ideologiczne w rzymskim mennictwie lat 235-284 n.e. {Ideological As-
pects in Roman Coinage 235-284 A.D.} (Katowice: 1990), pp. 40-42, 44. For morę on this ruler, see esp.
L. De Blois, "The Reign of the Emperor Philip the Arabian," Talanta, X/XI 1978/79, pp. 11-43.
2 RIC IV/3, p. 92, No. a.
3 Ibid., p. 93, No. b, cf. No. c.
4 Ibid., p. 70, No. 11.
5 Ibid., p. 74, No. 56.
6 Ibid., p. 91, No. 179.
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