AR Antoninianus, A.D. 244, Rome, 21.1mm, 3.80g, 180°, RIC IViii 51.
Obv: IMP M IVL PHILIPPVS AVG. Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right.
Reverse: VICTORIA AVGG. Victory standing left holding wreath and palm.
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Marcus Julius Philippus, commonly known as Philip the Arab, was Roman Emperor from 244 to 249. He came from Syria, and rose to become a major figure in the empire. He achieved power after the death of Gordian III, quickly negotiating peace with the Sassanid Empire. During his reign, Rome celebrated its millennium. Among early Christian writers Philip had the reputation of being sympathetic to the Christian faith. It was even claimed that he converted to Christianity, becoming the first Christian emperor, but this is disputed.

In an attempt to shore up his regime, Philip put a great deal of effort in maintaining good relations with the Senate, and from the beginning of his reign, he reaffirmed the old Roman virtues and traditions. He quickly ordered an enormous building program in his home town of Shahba, renaming it Philippopolis, and raising it to civic status, while he populated it with statues of himself and his family. This creation of a new city, piled on top of the massive tribute owed to the Persians, as well as the necessary donative to the army to secure its acceptance of his accession, meant Philip was desperately short of money. To pay for it, he ruthlessly increased levels of taxation, while at the same time he ceased paying subsidies to the tribes north of the Danube that were vital for keeping the peace on the frontiers. Both decisions would have significant impacts upon the empire and his reign.

In spring of 249, Decius was proclaimed Emperor by the Danubian armies and immediately marched on Rome. Although Decius tried to come to terms with Philip, Philip's army met the usurper near modern Verona that summer. Decius won the battle and Philip was killed sometime in September 249 either in the fighting or assassinated by his own soldiers who were eager to please the new ruler. Philip's eleven-year-old son and heir may also have been killed with his father.