The Roman Series: Who was Vespasian?
Vespasian was born on 17 November 9 AD at Falacrine, a village at the north-east
of Rome.
Colosseum in Rome own picture taken in 2017
Family
Vespasian's paternal grandfather, Titus Flavius Petro, became a centurion and he
fought at Pharsalus for Pompey in 48 BC. He also became a debt collector.
fought at Pharsalus for Pompey in 48 BC. He also became a debt collector.
Titus Flavius Sabinus, Vespasian's father, worked as a customs official in the
province of Asiia and he became a moneylender on a small scale. He married
Sabinus. They had three children. The elder boy was Titus Flavius Sabinus.
The younger boy was Vespasian. He seemed far less likely to be successful than
his elder brother. He married Flavia Domitilla, the daughter of Flavius Liberalis
from Ferentium and formerly the mistress of a roman equestrian. They had two
sons. Titus Flavius Vespasianus and Titus Flavius Domitianus and a daughter
Domitilla. Both his daughter and his wife died before he became emperor.
province of Asiia and he became a moneylender on a small scale. He married
Sabinus. They had three children. The elder boy was Titus Flavius Sabinus.
The younger boy was Vespasian. He seemed far less likely to be successful than
his elder brother. He married Flavia Domitilla, the daughter of Flavius Liberalis
from Ferentium and formerly the mistress of a roman equestrian. They had two
sons. Titus Flavius Vespasianus and Titus Flavius Domitianus and a daughter
Domitilla. Both his daughter and his wife died before he became emperor.
His mistress Antonia Caenis became his wife in all but formal status.
She was a confidential secretary to Antonia Minor, and a part of the circle of
courtiers and servants around the Emperor.
courtiers and servants around the Emperor.
Antonia Minor was a relative of Roman Emperors:
- Emperor Augustus (more on this link);
- Emperor Tiberius (more on this link);
- Emperor Caligula (more on this link);
- Emperor Claudius (more on this link) and
of Emperor Nero (more on this link) as well.
source picture: Wikipedia
Career - The Way to the power
Upon the accession of Claudius as Emperor in 41, Vespasian was appointed legate of
Legio II Augusta, stationed in Germania.
Legio II Augusta, stationed in Germania.
In 43, Vespasian and the II Augusta participated in the Roman invasion of Britain! He
distinguished himself under the overall command of Aulus Plautius. He participated
in the battles on the rivers Meway and Thames and he was sent to reduce the
south west through the modern counties of Hampshire, Wiltshire, Dorset, Sommerset,
Devon and Cornwall. He also invaded Vectis (now the Isle of Wight). These
successes earned him triumphal regalia on his return to Rome.
distinguished himself under the overall command of Aulus Plautius. He participated
in the battles on the rivers Meway and Thames and he was sent to reduce the
south west through the modern counties of Hampshire, Wiltshire, Dorset, Sommerset,
Devon and Cornwall. He also invaded Vectis (now the Isle of Wight). These
successes earned him triumphal regalia on his return to Rome.
In 51 he earned a consulship but he had a rift with Agrippina, Claudius' wife, who
was the most powerful and influential figure in her husband's reign. Vespasian retired
from public life but he was sent as governor to Africa Province in 63.
was the most powerful and influential figure in her husband's reign. Vespasian retired
from public life but he was sent as governor to Africa Province in 63.
Vespasian used his time in North Africa making friends instead of money. Returning
from Africa, Vespasian toured Greece in Nero's retinue.
from Africa, Vespasian toured Greece in Nero's retinue.
In 66AD Vespasian was appointed to suppress the Jewish revolt underway in Judea.
During this time he became the patron of Flavius Josephus, a Jewish resistance leader
captured at the Siege of Yodfat, who would later write his people's history in Greek.
During this time he became the patron of Flavius Josephus, a Jewish resistance leader
captured at the Siege of Yodfat, who would later write his people's history in Greek.
After the death of Nero in 68, Rome saw a succession of short-lived emperors and a
year of civil war. Galba was murdered by supporters of Otho, who was defeated by
Vitellius. Otho's supporters looking for another candidate to support settled on
Vespasian.
year of civil war. Galba was murdered by supporters of Otho, who was defeated by
Vitellius. Otho's supporters looking for another candidate to support settled on
Vespasian.
Meanwhile Vespasian was in Egypt securing its grain supply, his troops entered Italy
from the northeast under the leadership of Marcus Antonius Primus. They defeated
Vitellius' army.
from the northeast under the leadership of Marcus Antonius Primus. They defeated
Vitellius' army.
In Rome a mob broke out. The Capitol was destroyed and Vespasian's brother Sabinus
was killed.
was killed.
On 1 July 69 AD, Tiberius Julius Alexander, who had been governor since Nero's reign
proclaimed Vespasian Emperor at Alexandria.
proclaimed Vespasian Emperor at Alexandria.
On 21 December 69, Vespasian was declared Emperor by the Senate of Rome.
Vespasian himself entered Rome in mid-70.
Vespasian himself entered Rome in mid-70.
source picture: Wikipedia
Reign
Vespasian renewed old taxes and instituted new ones, increasing the tribute of the
Provinces and kept a watchful eye upon the treasury officials.
Provinces and kept a watchful eye upon the treasury officials.
Vespasian helped rebuild Rome after the civil war. He added the temple of Peace
and the temple to the Deified Claudius. In 75 he erected a colossal statue of
Apollo. He also started the building of the Colosseum, which still exists in Rome.
and the temple to the Deified Claudius. In 75 he erected a colossal statue of
Apollo. He also started the building of the Colosseum, which still exists in Rome.
Colosseum in Rome - own picture taken in 2017
Death
In 79 Vespasian had a slight illness and he left Rome for Aquae Cutilae. However
his illness worsened and he developed severe diarrhea. He died on 23 June 79.
his illness worsened and he developed severe diarrhea. He died on 23 June 79.
He was succeeded by his sons Titus and then Domitian.
Legacy
For us the Colosseum of Rome is the most important legacy that
Emperor Vespasian left.
Emperor Vespasian left.
Although there are others such as the Vespasian Titus Tunnel in Turkey.
To read more about Vespasian
source picture: Book cover
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