Silbannacus

Ca 248AD

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Marcus Silbannacus was a usurper during the reign of Philip I. History has not been kind to Silbannacus since it has failed to record his existence. Silbannacus is known only from a single coin which noe resides in the British Museum. Silbannacus most likely led a very short lived rebellion around 248 AD on the Rhine perhaps about the same time period as Pacatian in the Balkins. He was most likely killed by his own troops since there is no record of a confrontation between himself and Philip I.

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Monetary System

Mints: unknown

Obverse Legends:

IMP MAR SILBANNACVS AVG

Note: The style of this unique coin and its fabric places its time of mintage to the regin of Philip I.

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DENOMINATIONS

AR Antoninianus

Jotapian

Circa 248 AD

Usurper of Syria & Capppadocia

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Marcus Fulvius Rufus Jotapianus was hailed Emperor by his troops in Syria when a revolt broke out in 248 AD. This rebellion appeared to be caused by high taxation imposed in Syria by Priscus who some claimed was Philip I’s brother. Julius Priscus, had been given the Governorship of Mesopotamia and he developed a reputation for being cruel and ruthless. His heavy extortion by taxation in the region led to the underlying unless in his province. Jotapian, who claimed to be a relative of Severus Alexander, thus took advantage of the situation and began his revolt in Commagene. The rebellion expanded to eventually cover both the provinces of Syria and Cappadocia, but the usurper was killed by his own men after a very brief reign. Even with the death of Jotapianus by his own men, the uprising continued into 249 AD.

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Monetary System

Note: the silver content of these issues is very low even for this late period. Typical examples average between 48% and 54% silver thus yielding a very poor silver appearance which resembles more of a base white metal.

Mints: traveling mint (?)

Obverse Legends:

IMP M F R IOTAPIANVS A

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DENOMINATIONS

AR Antoninianus (3.3 grams – 18 known)

Pacatian
Circa 248-249AD

Usurper of Upper Moesia

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Titus Claudius Marinus Pacatianus was most likely a member of the senatorial class and the commander stationed on the Danube frontier in Pannonia and Moesia. Pacatian raised a revolt during the unpopular later years of the reign of Philip I. Pacatian was able to fan the flames of rebellion, but he was unable to trult win the support of the legions. After proclaiming himself as emperor, he managed to control Upper Moesia for a very brief period. The revolt, however, lacked a broader range of support for Pacatian as emperor and as a result, he was murdered by his own troops. The revolt itself, however, resulted in Philip’s appointment of Trajan Decius as governor of Moesia and Pannonia. The resentment that fostered the rebellion had not died with Pacatian. In the end, Decius was convinced by the legions in the region to claim the position of emperor and march on Rome. Thus, the rebellion was successful in the long-term. Decius confronted Philip in Macedonia and defeated him becoming the first Balkin Emperor of Rome.

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Monetary System

Mints: Viminacium

Obverse Legends:

IMP TI CL MAR PACATIANVS AVG
IMP TI CL MAR PACATIANVS P F AVG
IMP TI CL MAR PACATIANVS P F AV

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DENOMINATIONS

AR Antoninianus (4.4 grams)

Philip II

As Caesar 244-247 AD
As Augustus 247-249 AD

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Marcus Julius Philippus II was the son of Philip I and Otacilia Severa. He was raised to the rank of Caesar at the time of his father’s accession to the throne in 244 AD. By some accounts, Philip II was all but 5 or 6 years old. Almost three years later, Philip II was raised to the rank of Augustus and made co-emperor with his father.

Philip I faced 5 usurpers during his short reign. The last was Trajan Decius, commander of the northern legions. Trajan was hailed emperor by his troops and marched on Rome. Philip I set out to confront this new usurper but was defeated and killed during the battle. Philip II was then murdered by the Praetorian Guard in Rome once news had reached them about the victory of Decius.

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Monetary System

Mints: Antioch, Rome

Obverse Legends:

As Caesar

M IVL PHILIPPVS CAES

As Augustus

IMP PHILIPPVS AVG
IMP M IVL PHILIPPVS AVG

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DENOMINATIONS

As Caesar

AU Aureus (6.54 grams)
AR Antoninianus
AR Denarius (3.54 grms)
AR Quinarius (1.58 grms)
Æ Sesterius
Æ Dupondius
Æ As
Æ Tetradrachm (Egypt)

As Augustus

AU Aureus (6.54 grams)
AR Antoninianus
AR Quinarius (1.58 grms)
Æ Sesterius
Æ Dupondius
Æ As
Æ Tetradrachm (Egypt)

Julius Marinus

Father of Philip I

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Julius Marinus was the father of the emperor Philip I and the grandfather of Philip II. He is known from the single coinage issue by his son issued at the city of Philippopolis.

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Monetary System

Mints: Philippopolis

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DENOMINATIONS

Æ 30 (Bare-headed bust of Marinus right., supported by eagle.

Rv. Roma standing left., holding two small figures and spear; in field, SC)

 

Marcia Otacilia Severa

244-249AD

Wife of Philip I

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Marcia Otacilia Severa was the wife of Philip I (“the Arab”) and mother of Philip II. Upon her husband’s taking of the throne in 244 AD from the young 19-year-old emperor Gordian III, Otacilia was given the rank of Augusta upholding the Roman tradition. Her son, Philip II, was raised to the rank of Caesar at the same time.

Otacilia presided over the celebrations for the 1000th anniversary of the founding of Rome in 248 AD. Several of her coinage issues were commemorating this spectacular event in event.

Her husband’s reign was troubled by no less than 5 usurpers. The last, Trajan Decius, was hailed emperor by the northern legions and marched against the unpopular Philip I. They met in battle in Macedonia and Philip I was defeated and killed during the incident. Upon hearing the news in Rome, the Praetorian Guards promptly murdered her son Philip II. It is not known what happen to Otacilia.

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Monetary System

Extremely Rare Silver Denarius

Mints: Antioch, Rome

Obverse Legends:

OTACIL SEVERA AVG
M OTACIL SEVERA AVG
MARC OTACIL SEVERA AVG
MARCIA OTACIL SEVERA AVG

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DENOMINATIONS

AU Aureus (6.54 grams)
AR Antoninianus
AR Antoninianus (5.2-3.9 grams)
AR Denarius (3.54 grams)
AR Quinarius (1.58 grams)
Æ Sesterius
Æ Dupondius
Æ As

Marcus Julius Philippus

“The Arab”

244-249 AD

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Marcus Julius Philippus was born in Arabia the son of Julius Marinus. Philip entered a military career and was on the campaign in 243 AD against the Persians led by Shapur. Timisitheus was the Praetorian Commander in charge and he successfully defeated the Persians at Rhesaina. However, Timisitheus suddenly became ill and died during the campaign. Philip I the rose to the rank of Praetorian Commander under Gordian III. Philip was more interested in taking the throne than in destroying the Persians.

Philip’s intensions were clear. Her instigated whatever he could to create disloyality among the troops gainst the 19-year-old emperor Gordian III. In a last and sad attempt to maintin layality, Gordian III addressed his troops. He finally told his men to chose between himself and Philip. He gamble failed and the troops openly selected Philip and Gordian III was murdered. Despite a monument being raised to Gordian III on the spot that he died, and his body being taken back to Rome for burial, Philip never looked back.

Philip was eager to take the reigns of power in Rome so much so that he quickly agreed to a peace teaty with the Persian king Shapur. The terms were widely viewed as a sign of defeat on the part of the Romans. Philip gave Shapur a down-payment of 500,000 denarii in addition to an annual indemnity. No Roman emperor had ever agreed to such a deal, but Philip was more interested in getting to Rome.

Philip raised his 5 or 6 year-old son, Philip II, to the rank of Caesar and gave the title of Augusta to his wife -Otacilia Severa. Upon being recognized by the Senate, Philip quickly found himself involved in defending the northern frontier against the Carpi on the Danube. Philip was at least successful this time perhaps after tasting the power at Rome he so much desired.

Philip did order some public works to be built including a reservoir. However, the highlight of his reign was none other than the 1000th year anniversary of the founding of Rome. Philip ordered spectacular games to be held between April 21st and 23rd during the year 248 AD. He also struck a series of coins to denoted the occassion.

Time was running out for Philip. His bold grab of power by a commander perhaps sparked similar dreams in the minds of others. The first to rebel was Pacatianus in 248 AD who was commander in Pannonia and Moesia. Philip was lucky in this case since the usurper was murdered by his own troops. The second usurper to appear in the East – Jotapianus. This rebellion appeared to be caused by high taxation imposed in Syria by Priscus who some claimed was Philip’s brother. Jotapianus was also murdered by his own men but the uprising continued into 249 AD. A third usurper appeared on the Rhine about this time known only from a single coin in the British Museum – Silbannacus. Yet another usurper appeared on the Danube by the name of Sponsianus. Most likely these men also met a similar fate as Jotapianus and Pacatianus.

With all these uprising in the north, Philip made his fatal mistake. He dispatched Trajan Decius and appointed him governor of the provinces of Moesia and Pannonia. This gave Decius control over several legions. The Goths posed a serious threat to the north and Decius marched against them victoriously. The troops then hailed Decius emperor. The numerous uprising showed their dissatisfaction with Philip “the Arab”. Decius then marched on Rome and in the September/October the two armies met in Macedonia. Philip was defeated and died in battle. Upon hearing the news in Rome, Philip’s son was immediately murdered and Trajan Decius inherited the throne.

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Monetary System

Extremely Rare Silver Denarius

The reign of Philip I marked the true collapse of the denarius as a regular issue within the monetary system. As inflation soared, the denarius no longer became a viable denomination and it was virtually replaced by the antoninianus. All subsequent reigns that followed Philip I issued denarii very sparingly if at all.

Mints: Antioch, Rome

Obverse Legends:

IMP PHILLIPVS AVG
IMP M IVL PHILIPPVS AVG
IMP CM IVL PHILIPPVS PF AVG PM

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DENOMINATIONS

AU Aureus (6.54 grams)
AU Quninarius (3.54 grams)
AR DOUBLE Antoninianus (6.85 grams)
AR Antoninianus (5.2-3.9 grams)
AR Denarius (3.54 grams)
AR Quinarius (1.58 grams)
Æ Sesterius
Æ Dupondius
Æ As

Tranquillina

241-244 AD
Wife of Gordian III

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Furia Sabinia Tranquillina was the daughter of the Praetorian Prefect Timisitheus. Tranquillina was married to Gordian III in 241 AD. The marriage may have been political insofar as Gordian III needed the support and aid of his father-in-law. Tranquillina reigned as Empress of Rome between 241 and 244 AD. Following the death of both her father and her husband in 244, her fate remains unknown.

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Monetary System

AR Silver DenariusMints: Rome, Egypt, Bithynia, Cilicia

Obverse Legend:

SABINIA TRANQVLLINA

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DENOMINATIONS

AR Antoninianus
AR Denarius (3.54 grams)
AR Quinarius (3.54 grams)
AE Sesterius
AE Dupondius
AE As

Gordian III

238-244AD

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Marcus Antonius Gordianus (Gordian III) was born about 225 AD. Gordian III was the grandson of respected Proconsul of Africa Gordian I by his daughter. He was also the nephew of Gordian II. In 238 AD, a rebellion broke out against the emperor Maximinus I and Gordian I was hailed emperor by the troops in Africa despite his age of 81 at the time. The Senate confirmed Gordian I as the new emperor and declared Maximinus I a public enemy. However, before the news had even reached Africa, both Gordians had already been killed after a reign of only 21 days.

When the Senate learned of the deaths of the two Gordians, they feared retaliation on the part of Maximinus. They promptly elected two of their own members, Balbinus and Pupienus. Gordian III was then given the rank of Caesar in part to enlist the loyality of the African troops.

While Maximinus was eventually murdered by his own troops, there was still now sense of loyality toward the joint emperors Balbinus and Pupienus. Despite the end to the threat of Maximinus, the Praetorian Guards stormed the palce and dragged both emperors out into the streets and murdered them. The Guards then hailed Gordian III as emperor in May 238 AD.

This young emperor of only 13, who found himself orphaned during his childhood, was then thrust into the politics of the world. The Historia Augusta tells us that he was a light-hearted and handsome young man but did not possess the qualities necessary to be emperor of Rome.

The reigns of power obviously fell to someone more experienced. That person was the commander Timesitheus. A wedding was eventually arranged between Gordian III and Tranquillina in early 241 AD – the daughter of Timesitheus.

At first a rebellion broke out in Africa. Marcus Asinius Sabinianus, governor of Africa, proclaimed himself emperor and established his base at Carthage. This revolt was put down rather easily by the governor of Mauretania.

In the north, the Goths crossed the Danube and Rome responded. After being pushed back once again, a new threat began to emerge from the East led by Shapur I – king of the Persians.

In 243 AD, the Roman headed straight into a confrontation with the Persians. They marched into Syria and enjoyed much initial success. During this campaign, Timesitheus died suddenly of an illness. This event thrusted the young Gordian III into a world for which he was still unprepared at the age of 19.

Philip I (“the Arab”) took the position of commander. He manipulated events as to encourage disloyality among the troops. Gordian III make the mistake of attempting to address the troops. He asked the men to chose between himself and Philip I. The men chose Philip and Gordian III was subsquently murdered near Circesium in Mesopotamia in 244 AD. His body was taken back to Rome for a formal burial.

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Titles and Powers, 238-244 AD

Yr Tribunician Power Consul Imp Acc Other
238 ———————- CAESAR 238 TR P IMP
239 TR P – TR P II COS
240 TR P III – IIII COS II PIVS FELIX
241 TR P IIII – V
242 TR P V – VI
243 TR P VI – VII

Gordian received the tribunician power about the end of July, 238 AD and renewed it annually on the date of its first conferment.

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Monetary System

Mints: Rome, Viminacium (?), Antioch

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DENOMINATIONS

As Caesar

AR Denarius

As Augustus

AU Aureus (6.54 grams)
AU Quinarius
AR Antoninianus
AR Denarius
AR Quinarius
Æ Sesterius
Æ Dupondius
Æ As

 

PUPIENUS

238 AD

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Marcus Clodius Pupienus Maximus was a senator of Rome at the time of the deaths of Gordian I andGordian II in Carthage. The Senate, after having supported the Gordians and declared Maximinus I as a public enemy, had little choice but to find someone to defend the Senate itself. It was finally decided to elect two of their own members, Balbinus and Pupienus, two ex-consuls, to be joint rulers of the empire. This was an arrangement reminiscent of the consuls of the old republican era. They were certainly not young men but instead both were in their late 60s or perhaps even mid-70s at the time. At the same time, the Senate created the Counsel of Twenty vigintiviri to assist the two emperors in the task of opposing Maximinus.

Balbinus and Pupienus were two patricians and there was much resentment of the rich, noble class during this period of economic and political strife. A crowd had gathered at the Capitol and blocked the two new emperors from leaving hurling stones in their protest. The demanded that the new emperor should be selected from the Gordian family which was very popular among the people. The Senate had little choice and sent for the young 13 year old Gordian III, grandson of Gordian I and nephew of Gordian II. Thus in a compromise move, Gordian III was given the rank of Caesar.

The new regime assumed immediate control of affairs in Rome itself during early February in 238 AD. Maximinus by this time had reached the borders of Italy with his troops intent upon entering Rome. Pupienus, a man of very considerable military experience, began to gather what troops he could and set out to oppose Maximinus’ advance army.

Upon entering Italy, Maximinus came to the city of Aquileia on the coast of Northern Italy. The population closed its gates and refused him entry. Maximinus then began the siege of Aquileia. The Counsil of Twenty managed a blockaid to cut-off all supplies to Maximinus’ army. The tide was turned largely due to the fact that Maximinus’ Second Legion was from Latium and these Italian soldiers did not take pleasure in laying siege to their homeland. A plot emerged bwteen the Praetorian Guard and the Second Legion. Together they stormed Maximinus’ tent and killed him on the spot along with his son – Maximus Caesar.

Pupienus returned to Rome to cheerful crowds with the heads of Maximinus and his son. But the lure of power was already driving a wedge between the two elected joint Emperors. Balbinus was clearly jealous feeling that he had had the more distinguished political career while Pupienus believed his military career and victory gave him the honor of senior emperor. This clearly led to a division between the two Emperors and in the end, both lost whatever support they had won among the praetorian guard. Finally, the praetorians stormed the palace dragging the two Emperors naked through the streets of Rome. The joint Emperors were beaten and mutilated. Their hair torn out including their eyebrows. After this painful ordeal, they were finally taken to the praetorian camp and murdered on July 29th, 238 AD. The praetorians, who had always been loyal to the Gordians, then raised Gordian III to the rank of Augustus.

The reign of Balbinus and Pupienus was brief – 99 days in all. This saga illustrates the fate that so often fell upon even the most honorable men when power overruled reason.

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Monetary System

Mints: Rome

Obverse legends:

IMP . C . M . CLOD . PVPIENVS AVG.
IMP. CAES . M . CLOD . PVPIENVS AVG.
IMP . CAES . PVPIEN . MAXIMVS AVG.

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DENOMINATIONS

AU Aureus (6.54 grams)
AU Quinarius (4.61 grams)
AR Antoninianus
AR Denarius
AR Quinarius
Æ Sesterius
Æ Dupondius
Æ As