Transcript Bust of Philip the Arabian

Bust of Philip the
Arabian
c. AD 244-249
The list of Emperors
Julio-Claudian dynasty
 Augustus 27BC- AD14
 Tiberius AD14 - 37
 Caligula AD37 – 41
 Claudius AD 41- 54
 Nero AD54- 68
Year of 4 emperors
(AD 68 –AD69)
 Galba
 Otho
 Vitellius
Flavian Dynasty
 Vespasian AD69-79
 Titus AD79-81
 Domitian AD 81-96
Trajanic Dynasty
 Nerva AD96-98
 Trajan AD98-117
 Hadrian AD117-138
Antonine Dynasty
 Antoninus Pius AD138-161
 Marcus Aurelius AD161- 180
 Lucis Verus AD161-169
 Commodus AD177-192
Severan dynasty
 (11 emperors)
Emperors during the height
of crisis AD 235-268
 Philip the Arabian
 Many others (constant
change)
Facts
Height: 71 cm
Date: AD 244-249
Philip’s full name: Caesar Marcus Iulius Phillipus Augustus
Notes:
Paul Artus p.
Workbook p.85, 86, 87, 88
Vocab
Senate:…………………...senators passed laws in the high courts
Equestrian: …………….families that officers and governors were
selected from. They were the wealthy and wellconnected, almost equal to senate in social
standing.
Praetorium Guard:….elite troops who accompanied the Emperor and
protected him
Background to the bust of Philip the Arabian

Philip was Emperor of Rome at a very unstable time – in all
areas - political, economic, religious and military

Emperors were very short-lived, and there were many in a
short period of time – they were usually murdered.

He was only Emperor for 5 years, he and his son were
murdered by his own soldiers in AD 249 at the Battle of
Verona. They preferred his rival, Decius as Emperor.

He was an Arab from Syria, not from Rome

He was a member of an important Equestrian family

He was Appointed Prefect of the Praetorian guard by
Gordian III

Philip became Emperor after Gordian III died fighting the
Persians (Philip was suspected of killing Gordian III, but he
was innocent)

Features of Philip
He has semitic
(Syrian/Arab)features:
–
–
–
–
Prominent nose
Bump on the nose
High sculptured cheek bones
Heavy jaw line
This is an image of a military emperor,
it is in the veristic style of the late
Republican period (when the Patrician
carrying busts was created), and has
no extra fancy detail. It is very
different to Commodus style
He wears Toga contabulata (a new
form of toga, and was fashionable in
the late Roman Empire
Philip’s features:
 Closely cropped hair
& beard created by
using a sharp chisel
 Sight turn of the
head, eyes look
upward & iris
outlined & pupils
removed
 Distinct scowl, lips
pressed shut,
showing concern
 Marble is not
polished making it
not flashy
Philip’s expression
Philip looks concerned:
 his gaze is to the right– he does not address the viewer but
looks away -reflecting the political uncertainty & his
anxieties about the Empire at the time. It has been
misinterpreted as looking ‘shifty and opportunistic’


He has a deeply furrowed brow showing concern for Rome
& the people – he does not address the viewer with a look
of command
His face which shows a worried expression exhibits his
nobility, dignity and strength – qualities needed during
Rome’s difficult times

Philip was very different to other Emperors in that he was
not from an illustrious Imperial background like Commodus

He was a man who rose to power at a time of great
adversity and survived through the strength of his will.