ARABIA. Philippopolis. Divus Julius Marinus, died before 244. Diassarion (Bronze, 23 mm, 6.63 g, 12 h), circa 247-249. ΘЄΩ MAPINΩ Bare head of Divus Julius Marinus, with slight drapery on his left shoulder, set to right on eagle standing right with spread wings.
Rev. ΦIΛIΠΠOΠOΛIT-ΩN KOΛΩNIAC / S - C Roma (or Allat?) standing front, head to left, holding patera in her right hand and spear in her left; at feet to right, shield. RPC VIII online 2243. SNG ANS 140. Spijkerman 2. Sofaer 2. Rare. Patina stripped and retoned
, otherwise, very fine.
From the collection of a Cosmopolitan, acquired before 2005.
Upon succeeding to the throne, Philip I deified his deceased father Julius Marinus and raised their Arabian native village, whose ancient name is unknown, to the rank of a colonia. The new colony was renamed Philippopolis in honor of the emperor and large building projects were initiated, including a forum, a stadium, a theatre, a city wall, and a temple called the Philippeion, which was dedicated to the god Marinus. As a matter of fact, even the road from Bostra to Damascus was redirected to pass through the city to boost its prosperity. However, when Philip I was killed in 249, all construction works came to an abrupt halt as the settlement vanished from imperial attention, leaving many of its monumental buildings unfinished.
