In 244 AD, Philip the Arab became a major figure within the Roman Empire, negotiating peace with the Sassanid Empire soon after ascending to the throne upon the death of Gordian III.

In April 248 AD, Philip led the celebrations of the thousandth anniversary of the founding Rome. Philip spent a massive amount of money on the celebrations with fantastic games, theatrical presentations, and major events within the Colosseum, where more than 1,000 gladiators were killed along with hundreds of exotic animals. This coin was minted for these games, with the inscription MILITARIVM SAECVLVM, referring to the next “millenary age”: the completion of the first 1,000 years and the start of the next.

These would prove to be the last centennial celebrations and the end of a centuries-long set of popular traditions. Some superstitious contemporary historians blamed the decline of the Roman Empire on the cancellation of the much-loved ritual. While stopping the games certainly harmed morale, Rome had greater problems beginning than just the lack of large-scale celebrations.

Philip I. AD 244-249. Æ Sestertius (29mm, 20.81 g, 12h). Secular Games issue. Rome mint, 5th officina. 10th emission, AD 249. Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / MILIARIVM SAECVLVM, cippus inscribed COS/III in two lines. RIC IV 157a; Banti 24. EF, dark gray patina, some brown and red.