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Marcia Otacilia Severa was born of a noble family. Her mother hailed from the venerable gens Marcia, and her father served as Roman Governor of Macedonia and Moesia. In 234 AD, Otacilia married the up-and-coming Marcus Julius Philippus, better known to history as Philip I the Arab. The marriage proved profitable; in 244 AD, Philip managed to claim Rome’s throne and Otacilia scored the title of Rome’s Augusta.
Numismatic evidence suggests that Otacilia bore Philip three children. A notable member of the imperial family was young Marcus Julius Philippus Severus, a.k.a. Philip II. The latter was thrust into the role of co-Augustus before he reached the end of his first decade.
Much of what is known regarding Otacilia is deduced from her coinage. This particular example, a denarius struck in Rome circa 247 AD, presents a typical obverse Empress portrait with the epithet M OTACIL SEVERA AVG. Otacilia’s bust sits atop a crescent. In this case, the crescent represents the moon, and was meant to compliment the radiate crown atop her husband Philip’s head on his portrait coinage.
Other coins struck for Otacilia provide additional clues regarding her reign. For instance, she presided over Rome’s 1000th anniversary party, and several issues commemorating the event were struck in her name. (For more details of that stupendous gala, see the corresponding Philip I denarius in this NGC Ancient Custom Set.) The reverse of this particular coin also provides some perspective on the Empress’ reign. Specifically, the verso features Concordia, the Roman goddess personifying related concepts such as concord, agreement, and harmony. On Roman coins, Concordia was often employed to convey concord of the Emperor with his subjects, and/or, more importantly, with the Roman military. Based on the verso inscription CONCORDIA AVGG, this coin was meant to advertise not only Otacilia’s concord, but also, and more importantly, the concord of Rome’s co-Augusti.
As it turned out, the relationship between the imperial family and Rome’s military proved inharmonious. Philip, whose reign was marked by lavish spending (e.g., Rome’s big birthday bash), grew increasingly unpopular. It didn’t help Philip’s approval rating that he constantly struggled with foreign enemies and a seemingly non-stop barrage of usurpers vying for Rome’s throne. The situation was desperate to the point that Philip offered to resign, but the Senate continued its support. Among Philip’s most avid supporters was Gaius Messius Quintus Decius. Impressed with Decius’ loyalty, Philip gave him command of the Pannonian and Moesian provinces, and dispatched him to quell the rebellions there. Decius accomplished just that; however, afterwards the Danubian legions decided they preferred Decius over Philip as Rome’s Emperor. Battles ensued, and Philip was killed in 249 AD, likely assassinated by his own troops eager to please the new Emperor-elect.
When the Praetorian Guard in Rome learned the news, they promptly killed Philip II. Otacilia, reportedly hugging her child during the murder, was either allowed to live, or somehow managed to escape. She probably fled to Philippopolis, Philip’s Arabian hometown that was transformed into Rome’s image, one of many extravagances that led to disapproval and downfall.
Coin Details: ROMAN EMPIRE, Otacilia Severa, 244-249 AD, AR Double-Denarius (Antoninianus) (4.54 g), Rome mint: AD 247 (6th Issue, 4th Officina), NGC Grade: MS, Strike: 4/5, Surface: 4/5, Obverse: Diademed bust right, draped and on a crescent, M OTACIL SEVERA AVG, Reverse: Concordia seated left holding patera and double cornucopia, CONCORDIA AVGG, Reference: RIC IViii, 125c, page 83.