Philip the Arab

Philip the Arab (c. 204–249), born at Philippopolis, rose to be praetorian prefect under emperor Gordian III. After Gordian died following the Battle of Misiche in 244, Philip was proclaimed emperor and made peace with Shapur I.

He rebuilt his home town as Philippopolis, but building costs and the tribute to Persia strained his finances and forced tax rises. His five-year reign brought rare stability amid the third-century crisis: in 246 he drove back the Carpi on the Danube, and in 248 he celebrated Rome's thousandth anniversary with the Secular Games. Rebellions then brought Decius into Italy, and Philip was defeated and killed at Verona in September 249.