An Ancient Family Reunion (with a guest appearance by Gordian III)

As some of you may know, I recently won this lovely Philip I "The Arab" antoninianus at Agora Auctions.

Philip I: Loyal servant or muderer

There's a lot one can say about Philip I, who rose from Praetorian Prefect to the rank of Emperor after the rather obscure death of his predecessor Gordian III. Depending on who you believe, Gordian III died in battle and Philip I had to pick up the pieces, extricate his army from a precarious situation, and govern an empire in crisis. If that's the case, you almost have to feel sorry for him. Becoming Emperor during this chaotic time period meant almost certainly signing your own death warrant.

But on the other hand, if he murdered Gordian III, whom by most accounts was an affable young Emperor, one can argue Philip had it coming. I guess your perception of Philip can vary depending on your take surrounding Gordian III's demise.


Gordian III: Alleged murder victim of Philip I, or died in battle

But no matter how you may feel towards Philip I, you can't help but to feel sorry for the next person in this story...and the subject of my newest coin acquisition.


Philip II, guilty of having the wrong father in an unforgiving world

Phillip II was just 11 years old when he was brutally murdered. His crime was that he was his father's son, and for that he was made to die in his mother's arms. It is easy to forget just how dangerous being Emperor was during this time period, and not just for the Emperor himself, but often his innocent family who paid with their lives when the next usurper seized the crown of state. Philip II never had a chance to grow up, never wronged anyone as far as we can tell, and all we have left of his promising young life are a few sad lines written by ancient writers, and these lovely little coins like the one I just acquired.

Depending on what really happened you could be looking at three murder victims (one of them being a murderer himself), or two murder victims and an Emperor who bravely died in battle. Either way, it is a reminder that for all the marbled temples, paved roads, aqueducts, and wonderful works of art, the ancient world was a much harsher place to live. Yes, it was a fascinating time in human history full of great technological and philosophical advances, but human life was still cheap in the absence of our modern understanding of human rights, international law, democracy, and everything else we take for granted today in the western world.

 

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It still is in much of the world.

All nice coins and an interesting bit of history.


PHILIP I
AE Sestertius
OBVERSE: IMP M IVL PHILIPPVS AVG, laureate and draped bust right
REVERSE: AETERNITAS AVGG, elephant and driver walking left, SC in ex.
Struck at Rome, 247-8 AD
20.6g, 28mm
RIC 161a

GORDIAN III
AR Antoninianus
OBVERSE: IMP CAES M ANT GORDIANVS AVG, radiate, draped bust right
REVERSE: P M TR P II COS P P, Victory advancing left with wreath & palm
Struck at Rome, 239 AD
4.2g, 21mm
RIC 19, RSC 199

PHILIP II
AR Antoninianus
OBVERSE: M IVL PHILIPPVS CAES, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right
REVERSE: PRINCIPI IVVENT - Philip II standing right, holding spear and globe
Struck at Rome, 245 AD
5.1g, 22.5mm
RIC 216c (Philip I), C 54

 

Great coins and a very nice writeup.

 

Awesome coins Bing. And yes, you are right, sadly life is still quite cheap in some places.

Before I forget, I do have another Philip II which you've all seen before, but I'll post it here nevertheless.

 

Gordian III and Philips I and II issued some of the most appealing ants in the history of Roman minting. They are large, typically struck very well of good silver, with excellent style. Aside from a few rare varieties, they are also readily available. What's not to like about these coins?

 

I couldn't agree more. I definitely intend to get a few more Philip I and Gordian III antoninianus. They are just too nice and budget-friendly to simply ignore.

 

I posted these recently...


Philip I 244-249 CE
AR Ant


Gordian III 238-244 CE
AE As 25mm


Philip II 247-249 CE
AE from Nisibis Mesopotamia

 

I can't get enough of those secular games coins of Philip I. Yours is one of my favorite.

 

Thank you... I posted it before, and you coveted it then. I agree. I am only capturing Roman Emperors as slots, just as @Greg Heinrich is doing. I lucked into that one. Although I do not focus in the Empire, I can see expanding the various animals in this series! It is cool!

 

There are rare variations but my image was made for my website to show the set. I did not include an obverse of the Philip II (reverse III).


Some people consider the column part of the set but it does not have the officina number in exergue so I don't.

 

Wonderful posts everyone!! Congrats on your newest additions @Sallent !! And a very interesting write-up as well !!!

LOVE that animal 'menagerie' of the secular games!!!

I'll post my more 'common' examples; A Tet from Antioch of Phil I, a sestertius of Gordian III and a Tet from Antioch of Phil II:

 

That's one handsome portrait of Gordian III on that Sestertius. And those two tets have me green with envy. Is there any chance of you selling either? No? Oh well, had to try.

 

As Doug would say...'What !!! Sell my children??!!

 

some attractive ants sallent!

here my most recent of gordian iii and philip i...





and my only philip ii...

 

The Battle is mentioned on the trilingual inscription king Shapur I made at Naqsh-e Rustam:

When at first we had become established in the empire, Gordian Caesar raised in all of the Roman Empire a force from the Goth and German realms and marched on Babylonia against the Empire of Iran and against us. On the border of Babylonia at Misikhe, a great frontal battle occurred. Gordian Caesar was killed and the Roman force was destroyed. And the Romans made Philip Caesar. Then Philip Caesar came to us for terms, and to ransom their lives, gave us 500,000 denars, and became tributary to us. And for this reason we have renamed Misikhe Peroz-Shapur.

 

Some great examples

 

Very cool tray with terrific coins and a wonderful historical connection...all at a glance---not to mention that one in a billion shield penny

 

The History is well done... was not aware of that inscription!