# Philip the Arab — WHE Definition Discussion (1-12416)

**URL:** <https://community.worldhistory.org/t/philip-the-arab-whe-definition-discussion-1-12416/18906>\
**Category:** WHE Articles\
**Created:** [January 8, 2014, 3:06pm UTC](https://community.worldhistory.org/t/philip-the-arab-whe-definition-discussion-1-12416/18906 "2014-01-08T15:06:05Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![DWasson](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/community.worldhistory.org/dwasson/32/286_2.png) [@DWasson](https://community.worldhistory.org/u/DWasson)\
**Post date:** [January 8, 2014, 3:06pm UTC](https://community.worldhistory.org/t/philip-the-arab-whe-definition-discussion-1-12416/18906/1 "2014-01-08T15:06:05Z")

</div>

Philip the Arab ruled as emperor of the Roman Empire briefly from 244 CE to 249 CE. In 244 CE Roman emperor Gordian III responded to an uprising in the eastern provinces instigated by the Persian king Shapur. Under the superb leadership of the Praetorian Guard prefect Gaius Furius Sabina Aquila Timesitheus, the revolt was swiftly suppressed. Unfortunately, after the commander's sudden death, his successor, Philip the Arab, grew disillusioned with his role as the new commander and set his sights much higher - the imperial throne. According to the _Historia Augusta_, “This Philip was low born but arrogant and now could not contain himself in his sudden rise to the office and immoderate good fortune, but immediately, through the soldiers, began to plot against Gordian, who had begun to trust him as a father.”

* * *

_This is a companion discussion topic for the original definition at [https://www.worldhistory.org/Philip\_the\_Arab/](https://www.worldhistory.org/Philip_the_Arab/)._

* * *

**Join the Conversation**

- If you've studied this topic, what would you add for other readers?
- Is there anything you'd change or add?
- What questions has this left you with?

Is there anything you'd like to ask about this definition? Ask away — and if you spot something that should be covered, that's useful to know too.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![system](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/community.worldhistory.org/system/32/30_2.png) [@system](https://community.worldhistory.org/u/system)\
**Post date:** [August 1, 2026, 11:43am UTC](https://community.worldhistory.org/t/philip-the-arab-whe-definition-discussion-1-12416/18906/2 "2026-08-01T11:43:44Z")

</div>