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Few details are known regarding Julius Marinus. Apparently, he lived in the Roman province of Arabia, and held some political importance there. He reared two sons, one of whom, Marcus Julius Philippus (a.k.a. Philip the Arab), served as Roman Emperor from 244 to 249 AD. Sometime during that period, Julius Marinus died, and he was subsequently deified. Such details are known thanks to numismatic evidence, including this coin, which deftly combines Roman, Greek, and Arabian elements.
The obverse features the bare headed bust of an elderly man, surmounted on an eagle with its wings splayed outward, accompanied by the Greek inscription ΘЄΩ MAPINΩ. This imagery is consistent with Julius Marinus’ apotheosis, or transformation into a god. Evidently, Emperor Philip elevated his father to the heavens, out of reverence and/or in an attempt to legitimize his own ascension to Rome’s throne. Bestowing such a paternal honor to someone who never wore the purple was unusual, but not unprecedented. Emperor Trajan likewise deified his father, as evidenced on a denarius featuring Trajan Pater, as presented elsewhere in this collection.
Two reverse types for this coin have been recorded, both very rare, one with a standing figure and the other with a seated figure. This coin comprises the latter, scarcer type. The seated figure is widely described as Roma, the goddess representing the Eternal City, replete with spear and shield. It has alternatively been opined that the seated figure represents Allat, an Arabian deity assimilated with Athena. In her extended right hand, Roma/Allat holds two small figures. Usually, the numismatic figure of seated Roma holds one figure, and that figure represents Victory, the Roman deification of the same. While not certain, one of the two figures held by the seated goddess on this coin may represent Julius Marinus. The other figure may represent Philip’s mother. Other candidates for the two figures include Philip himself, his son (and eventual co-Augustus) Philip II, and his brother, Gaius Julius Priscus, whom Philip designated as
rector Orientis, or ruler of the eastern provinces. The same, or at least similar, two unidentified figures appear on the verso of two other bronze issues, one featuring Philip I and the other Philip II. Besides Roma/Allat and her enigmatic figurines, this coin’s verso features the letters S C, denoting
Senatus consultum (by the decree of the senate), and the Greek inscription ΦIΛIΠΠOΠOΛIT-ΩN KOΛ[ΩNIAC], denoting the Roman colony of Philippopolis.
Presumably, Philippopolis was the town where Julius Marinus raised Philip. We don’t know its original name, but we do know that Philip re-named the city in his own honor. Not only that, Philip ordered the city’s extensive re-modeling, such that Philippopolis might become a replica of Rome herself. These building projects included a temple dedicated to his father and seemingly another relative, perhaps Philip’s mother.
It is reasonable to speculate that Philippopolis also rated its own mint, and that this coin was struck there. However, the numismatic style of this coin appears inconsistent with contemporaneous Arabian coinage. Moreover, die links between contemporaneous issues of Philippopolis, Zeugma, and Antioch suggest production at a central origin, with Antioch being the likeliest candidate.
All coins memorializing Julius Marinus bear the inscription of Philippopolis, so perhaps the city was at least a point of circulation. In any case, the city’s numismatic run, as well as its broader aggrandization, came to a halt following Philip’s death in 249 AD. Eventually, the city declined into obscurity. Today, there are no followers of the cult of divus Julius Marinus, and his temple lies in ruins. Enduring, however, are coins bearing his visage. At least in this respect, Philip managed to ensure his father’s place - even if exiguous - in the annals of history.
Coin Details: ARABIA, Philippopolis, Divus Julius Marinus, Died circa AD 246/7, Æ (28mm, 16.84 g, 6h), Struck at Antioch, circa AD 247-249, NGC Grade = F, Strike = 4/5, Surface = 3/5. Obverse: Bareheaded and draped bust right, slight drapery on far shoulder, supported by eagle standing right, head left, with wings displayed, Reverse: Roma/Allat seated left, holding two figures in right hand, spear in left, shield at her side, S C across field, References: Butcher, Two pl. 25, 10; Spijkerman 1; Sofaer 1.