Bust of Philip the Arabian

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Bust of Philip the Arabian

• c. AD 244-249

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The list of Emperors

• 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)
• Constantine AD 337-307

• 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

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F a c t s

• Height 71 cm
• Date AD 244-249
• Philips 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

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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)

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Features of Philip

• He has semitic (Syrian/Arab)features
• Prominent nose
• Bump on the nose
• High sculptured cheek bones
• Heavy jaw line

• Philips 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
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Philips 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 Romes 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.