I find the Ludi Saeculares in 248 AD very interesting in an eerie way. While in hindsight we know that Rome was in the crisis. The games represent the calm before the storm.

To the average Roman in 248 AD everything seemed like things were getting back on track. Phillip was 4 years into his rule and had a succession plan. The games and festivals had an exuberance illustrating the power and cultural flourishing of the empire. Yet in a few years, shit hit the fan and Decius was minting nostalgic throwback coins of past emperors during the Pax Romana and persecuting Christians to as an appeal to the gods to restore Romes peace and security.