The Ludi Saeculares of 248 AD, celebrating the 1000th anniversary of Rome’s legendary founding in 753 BC, represented the most elaborate celebration of the crisis-ridden third century. Orchestrated by Emperor Philip I and his son Philip II, the games were used to legitimize their precarious regime. The festivities extended over multiple days and encompassed elaborate religious ceremonies with sacrifices to the Gods, spectacular gladiatorial combats and exotic animals hunts in the Colosseum, chariot races in the Circus Maximus, and various other theatrical performances throughout the city. Philip flooded the empire with commemorative coinage, such as this piece, in addition to distributing massive grain doles (Cura annonae). Yet the celebration's grandiosity could not obscure the Emperor’s  desperation, especially the continuing barbarian invasions only intensified during the games, and within months he would face multiple usurpations before being killed in battle by Decius in 249 AD.