Otacilia Severa AD 244-249. Struck AD 247. Rome
Antoninianus AR

24 mm, 3,77 g

M OTACILIA SEVERA AVG, draped bust right, wearing stephane, set on crescent / CONCORDIA AVGG, Concordia seated left, holding patera and cornucopia; altar to left.

Extremely Fine

RIC 129; RSC 16.

Octacilia Severa, born Marcia Otacilia Severa, was a Roman empress and the wife of Emperor Philip the Arab, who ruled from AD 244 to 249. She became Augusta, or empress, upon her husband's ascension to the throne and played a significant role as the first lady of the empire during a particularly turbulent time in Roman history. Octacilia Severa's marriage to Philip, whose full name was Marcus Julius Philippus, was likely arranged for political purposes. Philip was of Arab descent and came from a background that was not traditionally Roman aristocratic, making Octacilia Severa's role as empress crucial in lending legitimacy to his rule. Together, they had at least one son, Marcus Julius Philippus Severus, known as Philip II, who was named Caesar and co-emperor during his father's reign. As empress, Octacilia Severa was depicted on numerous coins, which were widely circulated throughout the empire. These coins often featured her portrait on the obverse, with inscriptions such as "M OTACIL SEVERA AVG," identifying her as the empress. The reverse of these coins frequently depicted traditional Roman virtues and deities, emphasizing her role as a stabilizing and supportive figure alongside her husband. Octacilia Severa is sometimes noted for her possible influence in the early Christian community. Some sources suggest that she may have been sympathetic to Christianity, as her husband's reign is marked by a notable lack of persecution against Christians compared to previous and subsequent emperors. However, the evidence for her direct involvement in religious matters is speculative. In AD 249, Philip the Arab was overthrown and killed by his successor, Decius, during a period of intense military and political instability. The fate of Octacilia Severa following her husband's death is uncertain, as there are no reliable records detailing her life after this event. Her legacy, like that of many Roman empresses, is largely tied to her role as the wife of the emperor and mother of the heir, reflected in the coinage and inscriptions that survive from her time as empress.