1. Bust of Philip the Arabian
c. AD

2. The list of Emperors Trajanic Dynasty Julio-Claudian dynasty
Nerva AD96-98
Trajan AD98-117
Hadrian AD
Antonine Dynasty
Antoninus Pius AD
Marcus Aurelius AD
Lucis Verus AD
Commodus AD
Severan dynasty
(11 emperors)
Emperors during the height of crisis AD
Philip the Arabian
Many others (constant change)
Constantine AD
Julio-Claudian dynasty
Augustus 27BC- AD14
Tiberius AD
Caligula AD37 – 41
Claudius AD
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

3. F a c t s 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 well- connected, almost equal to senate in social standing.
Praetorium Guard:….elite troops who accompanied the Emperor and protected him

4. 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)

5. Features of Philip He has semitic (Syrian/Arab)features:
Prominent nose
Bump on the nose
High sculptured cheek bones
Heavy jaw line
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
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

6. 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.