The Roman Series: Who was Roman Emperor Titus?

Probably on 30 December AD was Titus born in Rome, as the eldest son of Titus Flavius Vespasianus, known as Vespasian and Domitilla the Elder. Titus had one younger sister, Domitilla the Younger and one younger brother, Titus Flavius Domitianus, mostly referred to as Domitian. 

Youth

Titus' family: Flavia, rose from relative obscurity to prominence in only four generations, acquiring wealth and status under the Emperors of the Julio- Claudian dynasty. Titus great-grandfather, Titus Flavius Petro had served during Caesar's Civil War. 

Titus showed interest in military arts, he also was a skilled poet and orator both in Greek and Latin. 

As an adult

Titus was a military tribune in Germania from around 57 to 59. He also served in Britannia.

Love and Marriage

Around 62 AD, Titus married Arrecina Tertulla, the daughter of Marcus Arrecinus Clemens, a former Prefect of the Praetorian Guard. She died. Titus then took a new wife. He married Marcia Furnilla, her family was closely linked to the opposition to Nero. Some modern historians claim that Titus divorced his wife because of her family's connection to the conspiracy. Titus never remarried but he had daughters. The only known to have survived to adulthood was Julia Flavia. 

During the Jewish Wars Titus had begun a love affair with Berenice, the sister of Agrippa II. Berenice herself had supported Vespasian in his campaign to become  emperor. In 75 she returned to Titus and openly lived with him in the palace as his promised wife. The Romans were wary of the eastern queen and disapproved of  their relationship. When the pair was publicly denounced by Cynics in the 
theatre, Titus caved in to the pressure and sent her away, but his reputation  suffered further regardless. 

War in Judaea

Titus distinguished himself as a skilled general due to decisive victories won at Taricheae and Gamala. By 68, the entire coast and the north of Judaea were hold by the Roman army. 

The year of the Four emperors

When Titus returned from Judaea to Rome he learnt that Galba had been murdered and replaced by Otho and that Vitellius and his armies in Germania were preparing to march on the capital, intent on overthrowing Otho. Titus left Rome and he rejoined his father in Judaea. Meanwhile Otho was defeated in the First Battle of Bedriacum. By the end of 69, the forces of Vitellius had been beaten and Vespasian
was officially declared emperor by the Senate on 21 December. 

The War of Jerusalem

Meanwhile, the Jews had become embroiled in a civil war of their own by splitting the resistance in Jerusalem among several factions. Titus besieged Jerusalem. The Roman Army was joined by the Twelfth Legion. Vespasian sent Tiberius Julius Alexander, governor of Egypt, to act as Titus' second in command. 

Finally the Romans captured the Antonia Fortress and began a frontal assault on the gates of the Second Temple. Titus gave the order to destroy the remainder of the city.  Jerusalem was sacked and much of the population killed or dispersed. 

Back to Rome

Titus arrived back in Rome in 71 where he was awarded a triumph.  Accompanied by Vespasian and Domitian, Titus rode into the city, enthusiastically saluted by the Roman populace. At that moment Vespasian was declared emperor, so Titus and his brother Domitian received the title Caesar from the Senate. 

Vespasian died of an infection on 23 or 24 June 79 AD and he was immediately succeeded by his son Titus. Romans feared that he would be another Nero. However Titus proved to be an effective emperor, loved by the population. The Colosseum was finally completed in 80 under Titus. The inaugural games lasted for a hundred days. 

Death

Titus died on 13 September 81 at the age of 41 in Rome, Italy. 

Source pictures: Wikipedia