Owner Comments:
The ancient Romans certainly loved a good party. In addition to dozens of annual religious festivals, Rome also held many ceremonies related to their Emperors, such as Triumphs (for military victories), Adventuses (for returning Emperors), and Profectios (for departing Emperors). During such festivities, normal business operations were typically suspended. Thus, the common citizen had the day off, and looked forward to relaxation and entertainment (the concept of weekend rest from working is a modern one). The ancient Romans likewise excelled at planning and throwing a good party, with many Augusti endeavoring to outdo their predecessors. Event planning was a serious business considering Rome’s many hundreds of thousands of inhabitants, not to mention the hoards of visiting revelers from across the realm. Oftentimes the itinerary included fantastically elaborate gladiatorial games. Echoes of such revelries survive to this day in the trope of the Roman holiday.
Among the plethora in all the Empire’s long history, one gala particularly stands out - Rome’s 1000th birthday. The date (based on the officially accepted story of Romulus and Remus) was April 21, 1000 AUC (standing for
ab urbe condita, from the city’s founding) - April 21, 248 AD by modern convention - although festivities lasted for days. It was the middle of the great Crisis of the Third Century, and the realm was suffering numerous hardships from pestilence and economic woes to enemy invasions and usurpers. Augustus Philip I (c. 204 – 249 AD) was therefore eager to distract his suffering subjects and win their approval. What better way to deflect dissatisfaction and invest immortality than host the biggest birthday bash ever?
The citywide extravaganza required enormous preparations. More than putting together gladiatorial agendas, planners had to somehow provide sufficient security, sustenance, and, of course, sanitation. Already resplendent with its ubiquitous marble monuments, triumphal arches, and golden-roofed temples, Rome appeared even more so with flowers and banners hung everywhere. All available venues were utilized. Even the quarter million seats at the Circus Maximus and the Coliseum’s capacity of 50,000 were an order of magnitude insufficient to hold all of the Empire’s fans in attendance. All over the city, every class of Roman society eagerly queued to attend the spectacles. For prime events, lines formed overnight, not much of an inconvenience considering all the city’s accommodations were booked and many people had to sleep on the streets anyway.
Rome’s Millennial Games lived up to its hype with athletic competitions, chariot races, and theatrical shows that wowed the crowds. The gladiatorial games were particularly noteworthy. Thousands of gladiators and hundreds of exotic wild animals were reportedly killed as part of the festivities. Despite the dire predictions of soothsayers (similar to trepidations at the turning of our present millennium), Rome’s milestone came and passed, and the Empire did not come to an end (at least not yet, although Philip’s reign ended the following year). There were dire economic consequences, however, since Philip spent lavishly on the impressive show. To fund the effort, commemorative coins were struck, both in Philip’s name, and his wife, Augusta Otacilia Severa. A variety of designs were employed, for example, with versos illustrating the various exotic and dangerous animals slain. These coins circulated for years afterwards all across the Empire, persistent reminders of the good times afforded by Philip.
The current denarius is another example, struck in the year leading up to the millennium celebrations, ostensibly to fund preparations and advertise the upcoming party and its host, Augustus Philip, whose bust and epithet appear on the obverse. The star attraction of the coin is on the verso, where the female personification of the city, Roma, sits on her throne, holding Victory in one hand and a scepter in the other. The reverse inscription declares ROMAE AETERNAE, or Rome the eternal city - a moniker dating back to at least the end of the Republic - emphasizing the widespread belief that the city and the Empire it spawned would endure forever.
This message is fitting, considering the coin’s amazing condition; even after nearly eighteen centuries, it remains virtually flawless, with flashy, bright, semi-prooflike fields. How it survived in such pristine condition can only be imagined. Perhaps its original owner kept it safely out of circulation as a souvenir of Rome’s great millennium celebration.
Additional Reading: T Perrottet, “Tonight We’re Gonna Party Like is 248 AD”, The Smart Set, 04/06/2009.
Coin details: ROMAN EMPIRE, Philip I (244-249 AD), AR Denarius (20mm, 4.04 g), Rome Mint, NGC Grade: Gem MS, Strike: 5/5, Surface: 5/5, Obverse: Radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust right, IMP M IVL PHILIPPVS AVG, Reverse: Roma seated left with Victory & scepter, altar at feet, ROMAE AETERNAE, References: RSC 170; RIC 45; ex. Jonathan K. Kern Collection.