Vespasian

Attribution:

Titus Flavius Vespasianus was born on 17 November 9 AD. He became emperor of the Roman empire at 69 AD until his death in 79 AD. Born in the Sabine countryside around Rome in Falacrina near Reate, Vespasian went into the army and served in Thrace in 36 AD. He quickly rose through the ranks and became praetor in 40 AD. His marriage to Domiciliary the Elder produced the sons Titus and Domitian. After Domitilla’s death Vespasian lived with his mistress Caenis.

He was part of the army under Claudius who invaded Britannia in 43 AD and he distinguished himself by capturing and invading several British forts and towns, including those at the Isle of Wight and Exeter. This earned him a triumphal regalia when he returned to Rome.

Vespasian also served as consul twice and was stationed in Africa for some time. In 66 AD Nero appointed him to command the war in Judaea in order to quell the Jewish revolt. This campaign was in mid-flow when Nero committed suicide and Rome was thrown into a political crisis, with the year of the four emperors in 69 AD. Galba, Otho and Vitellius quickly followed Nero, but none of them lasted longer than a few months. Vespasian was declared emperor and had the army’s backing in 69 AD. He then resumed his campaign in Judaea, which culminated in the sack of Jerusalem.

The emperor then returned to Rome and much of his reign was dedicated to restoring the emperor’s image which had been badly damaged by Nero. He ordered public construction works, for example the rebuilding of the Temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus on the Capitoline Hill, as well as the Colosseum. He was known for being a fair and mild emperor who applied himself to improving life in Rome. He was succeeded by his sons Titus (who reigned from 79-81 AD) and Domitian (81-96 AD).