1000-YEAR PARTY TIME

Explanation: The Emperor Phillip the Arab reigned during the 1000-year anniversary of the founding of the city of the Rome (at least, by traditional dating). Party time! He threw massive public games in Rome, including one of the largest gladiator games ever displayed.

Unfortunately, this party was really more of a distraction/play for legitimacy, as unrest in the provinces threatened to unseat Philip. Eventually, one of the politicians he sent to lead a force against barbarian invaders turned against him after successfully repelling the barbarians, and defeated Phillip in turn - the short-lived Emperor Decius.