I won this coin in a John Anthony auction: Roman Empire, Mesopotamia, Nisibis. AE26 (26mm, 9.6g). Otacilia Severa, wife of Philip I (244-249 AD). Obverse: Her bust right, Greek inscription. Reverse: Tetrastyle temple with seated statue of goddess, ram (Aries) above, river god at her feet, Greek inscription around. BMC 27, SNG Copenhagen 244, Sear Greek Imperial 4065. Marcia Otacilia Severa was the wife of Philip I "The Arab" (244-249 AD) and had the title Augusta from him. Little is known of her life, though she came from a distinguished Senatorial family. Her father served as governor of Macedonia and Moesia, and she may have had a brother who was governor of Moesia Inferior. She married Philip in 234 (when he was probably in the Praetorian Guard) and is thought to have had three children, one of whom, Philip II, would become Caesar and then Augustus under his father. Philip I was campaigning with the emperor Gordian III against the Sasanians in 244 AD, when Gordian died under unclear circumstances. Philip was immediately proclaimed his successor, and made peace with Persia so that he could quickly return to Rome and consolidate his power. Philip was unusually tolerant of Christianity, so much so that some authors believe that he and Severa may have secretly been Christians, though there is no solid evidence to support this claim. He had the honor of presiding over the huge celebration of Rome's thousandth anniversary, and threw enormous celebrations featuring gladiators and exotic beasts. However, the party couldn't last forever. In 249 AD, Trajan Decius was proclaimed emperor by his troops on the Danube and began marching south. Philip marched out to meet him but was killed near Verona. Young Philip II, still in Rome, was murdered by the Praetorian Guard, but Severa's life was apparently spared, and she lived the rest of her life in obscurity. Nisibis (modern Nusaybin, in southeastern Turkey near the Syrian border) is a very ancient city, extending back to at least 900 BC. It was ruled in turn by the Assyrians, Neo-Babylonians, Achaemenid Persians, Alexander, and the Seleucids. Like the other cities of northern Mesopotamia, it then fluctuated between falling into the Roman or the Parthian/Sasanian Persian sphere of influence. Trajan captured it in 115 AD, for which he received the title Parthicus; however, the city's large Jewish population soon rose up as part of the Kitos War, and the rebellion was only ended with much bloodshed. The Battle of Nisibis was fought there in 217 AD, the last major battle between Rome and Parthia; it ended in essentially a draw, with Macrinus paying a large cash sum in order to withdraw safely. The city later became a center of Nestorian Christianity. Nisibis was described as wealthy and beautiful by Arab writers in the 12th century, but it later declined. Reportedly, the modern city has been heavily damaged in recent years by fighting between the Turkish military and Kurdish rebels, with many civilians forced to flee the area. The coin features a decent portrait of Otacilia Severa, but I was interested mainly for the mint city. I've been seeking out coins of Roman Mesopotamia recently, and will probably acquire more soon as part of a little sub-collection. I won this from John Anthony's auction at $45, which is a pretty good price for this coin. Post your Otacilia Severas, or Philips, or Mesopotamians.
After finding an example from the four mint producing provincial cities I've stopped looking for any more. Yours is a fine example and a great write-up too. Carrhae Edessa Nisibis Rhesaena
Neat coin and write-up. I have one from this city for Julia Mamaea. JULIA MAMAEA AE27. 11.42g, 26.5mm. MESOPOTAMIA, Nisibis, AD 222-235. SNG Cop 236; BMC 10 var (no crescent beneath portrait). O: IOV MAMEA CEBACTH, diademed draped bust right. R: CEΠ KOΛO NECIBI MH B, turreted, veiled, draped Tyche right, topped by Aries the Ram leaping right with head turned left; in front of chin, a star.
Thank you for the write-up @Parthicus . Great capture there! I believe I only have one Mesopotamian Coin: RI Philip II 244-249 Nisibis Mesopotamia-farthest EAST Temple sinister left
Informative and interesting write-up! I have a couple of provincials of hers from Turkey. Otacilia Severa AD 244-249 Thrace, Bizya AE 24 6.89 gm, 23.5 mm Obv: M WTAKEIΛIA CEBHPA CEB, diademed and draped bust, r. Rev: ΒΙΖVΗΝΩΝ, Artemis standing r., holding arrow and torch; stag at her feet. Refs: Moushmov 3514; SGI 3991; Varbanov 1592; Lindgren I 759; Youroukova 148; Milano IV/3 --; BMC Thrace --; SNG Tubingen --; SNG Copenhagen --; Mionnet -- Otacilia Severa, 244-249 Roman provincial AR tetradrachm; 12.23 g; 25.1 mm Syria, Seleucis & Pieria, Antioch ad Orontem, AD 245 Obv: ΜΑΡ ΟΤΑΚΙΛ CΕΟΥΗΡΑ CΕΒ, diademed and draped bust, right. Rev: ΔΗΜΑΡΧ ΕΞΟΥCΙΑC ΥΠΑΤΟ Α, eagle on palm, left, tail right, SC in exergue. Refs: McAlee 1088; Prieur 341; BMC 541
I also have only one coin from Otacilia: RI Otacilia Severa 244-249 CE w-Philip I AR Ant Pietas Augustae incense RIC IV 43
I have one from Singara, also in Mesopotamia. This is a coin of Tranquillina the wife of Gordian III. Obverse: Tranquillina Reverse: City Tyche with Centaur above head/Sagittarius.
Nice writeup & coin! It's nice to know that at least one member of an imperial family from the third century crisis got a chance to live into old age. Here's my Otacilia ant. (RIC IV 125c, Philip I):
Nice coin and write up! I have a hard time keeping all the wives straight Here is a Philip provencial.
