Philip I Ant "Pax running left" Pax advancing left, holding an olive branch and scepter. Rome mint: AD 244 Some later traditions, first mentioned in the historian Eusebius in his Ecclesiastical History, held that Philip was the first Christian Roman Emperor.
One must take Eusebius with a grain of salt. He was more interested in promoting Christianity than reporting history. Other than Eusebius, I'm not aware of any other arguments supporting claims of Philip's Christianity. But I'm not an expert on this topic, so if there is additional evidence, I'd like to hear it.
Supposedly Otacilia Severa was a closet Christian. I remember reading about this and I believe the historian was a Syrian who wrote several centuries later. In any case Phillip and Otacilia intervened to end persecutions and saved (supposedly) Saint Bybalas of Antioch...looking for the original source...
Here is a link that is fairly exhaustive on the topic of whether or not Phillip was a Christian, however it is still inconclusive to doubtful. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philip_the_Arab_and_Christianity
At a time when the Christians were savagely persecuted throughout the Roman Empire, the only signs of Philip I being the first Christian Emperor were revealed through coins. These were reported in a serious,long research which led to a series of coins classified under the title " Star of Bethlehem". Even though this image of the star didn't show on later coins after Tiberius, but other signs remained for over 2 centuries to include rams, crescents, stars and mostly dates which referred to the historical events of Christianity: Resurrection, facts mentioned in Acts, Early persecution, and spread of the Christian religion, among other events. All the coins and their description in amazing full details are reported on a specialized dedicated thread"Stars of Bethlehem". The research continues and can be followed on that Site on the Web.
Interesting discussion... sometimes you see what you want to see.. I have a bargain sestertius of our man Philip: Philip I Arab AD 244-249. Rome Sestertius Æ 29mm., 20,29g. IMP M IVL PHILIPPVS AVG; laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Philip I right / ANNONA AVGG; Annona standing left, holding grain ears over modius at feet, and cornucopiae in left hand. RIC 168a.
It is widely accepted that Philip I plotted the downfall of Gordian III, certainly not the actions of a Christian. Pictured below is my favorite portrait coin of Philip I, that I sold at a Heritage auction about a year ago, struck at Antioch, Syria from dies made in Rome, 14.22 gm.
One would assume. Yet one could counter that murdering your son, your 2nd wife, your brother-in-law and his 11-year-old son, among others, are not particularly Christian pursuits either, yet few would challenge Constantine's Christian bona fides.
From what I've read, Philip was at best curious about Christianity and wanted to see what they were all about. He served as Pontifex Maximus, which is not something a Christian would have done. My two favorite Philips: Best portrait: And I couldn't turn down such a historic piece PAX FVNDATA CVM PERSIS - Foundation of Peace with Persia, after he surrendered to Shapur I and ruined the Roman economy to buy peace.
hmmm .. seems like it turned into the most Christian of things to do: *not my medallion ..Pope Pius IV.
Would you all please read the content of the following link, and try to comment? We always learn, either way. Who knows ?? Coins might depict hidden History sometimes. http:// beastcoins.com/Collections/Star_Of_Bethlehem/Star_Of_Bethlehem_ htm
gsimonel, Constantine the Great was baptized in Nicomedia on his deathbed by Bishop Eusebius, making him a legitimate Christian, however, if Christian believers think they're going to spot Constantine in heaven they'll be looking for a long time....
Finn, two excellent double-denarii, the top one for great portraiture & the bottom one for historical importance.
There are a few places you'd have to check... Seeing that the Senate deified Constantine after death he may be found on Mount Olympus... definitely worth a look.
I see nothing wrong with the second portrait either. It is a reasonable example from the Antioch mint, not the finest and not the worst IMHO. There are people who prefer Eastern style coins and others that believe that anything not Roman was defective. Mine is no better but just as much Antioch style.
I doubt you were intending to start a theological war considering the Pope and Orthodox bishops only relatively recently (1965?) reconciled after excommunicating each other (in 1054?). Constantine has been canonized for many years in the Eastern church. That is why there are so many Greek Orthodox churches named Saint Constantine's. His mother Helena was canonized by both churches but Constantine never made the Western, Catholic list of saints.
