Marcia Otacilia Severa

Marcia Otacilia Severa was the Roman Emperor Philip the Arab woman.

Otacilia was probably the sister of the governor of Macedonia and Moesia both named Severian. She married Philip, as he. Still an officer in the cavalry under Emperor Gordian III had. 237 her son Marcus Julius Severus was born, who was raised to 244 and 247 to Caesar Augustus ( co-emperor nominally equal ) ( Philip II ). Otacilia had a daughter named Severina, possibly with the wife of the future Emperor Aurelian ( 270-275 ) is identical.

Well almost immediately after the collection of Philip the Arabian emperor beginning 244 Otacilia received the title of Augusta, which is testified for them in Rome in July 244. In the same year her the honorary title mater castrorum has also been given. By no later than 245, they also introduced the honorary title of mater senatus and mater patriae.

According to reports late antique church writers of the Christian scholar Origen 's letters to Philip the Arab and his wife ( the church father Jerome confounded with the mother of the emperor) was directed. However, the legend that Philip was a Christian, is completely implausible. For Otacilia because of the religious references on their coins and medallions is impossible to Christianity a confession.

In Verona Philip the Arab 249 suffered a decisive defeat against the troops of the future Emperor Trajan Decius, when he was killed. Then Philip II was assassinated. The fate Otacilias nothing is known; as they fell prey like the whole family of Damnatio memoriae, it can be assumed that it was also 249 killed.