Titus Flavius Vespasianus
Nov. 17, 9 - June 23, 79
Brought peace to a civil war-torn Rome
by Rit Nosotro First Published:: 2003( )
His Early Life
Titus Flavius Vespasianus, more commonly known as Vespasian, was born to Equestrian parents on November 17, A.D. 9, at "Falacrina near Sabine Reate"1 His parents were T. Flavius Sabinus, who was a banker and tax collector, and Vespasia Polla, who's brother was a senator.2 Little is known about Vespasian's childhood. He was educated by his "paternal grandmother, Tertulla." 3
His Early Career
At 16, he assumed the toga virilis of manhood, subsequently following his brother on the senatorial path that his older brother, T. Flavius Sabinus, had already chosen.4 In 36, at age 27, he accepted military tribunate in Thrace.5 "[T]he following year [Vespasian] was elected quaestor, serving in Crete and Cyrene." 6 This was followed by his becoming aedile in 39, and praetor in 40. 7 He married Flavia Domitilla somewhere around this time.8 His eldest son, Titus Flavius Vespanianus, was born in 39.9 His daughter Flavia Domitilla was also born in 39.10 She died in infancy. (Vespasian) "Upon the accession of Claudius as emperor in 41, Vespasian was appointed legate of the Legio II Augusta, stationed in Germania . . ."11 Under Claudius, he served with distinction in Britain. 12 "Vespasian was elected consul for the last two months of 51, after which he withdrew from public life."13 In 63, he was "chosen proconsul of Africa." 14 "Returning from Africa, Vespasian toured Greece in Nero's retinue, but lost Imperial favour after paying insufficient attention to the Emperor's recitals on the lyre, and found himself in the political wilderness." 15 "At this time he found himself in financial difficulties and was forced to mortgage his estates to his brother. To revive his fortunes he turned to the mule trade and gained the nickname mulio (mule-driver)."16 In 66, Vespasian was sent by Nero to put down a revolt in Judea.17
His Ascension to Power
Following Nero's suicide in 68, Galba, Otho, and Vitellius swiftly followed each other as emperors.18 In 69, Vespasian revolted.19 "[W]hile he was at Caesarea, he was proclaimed emperor (July 1, 69), first by the army in Egypt, and then by his troops in [J]udaea (July 11)."20 Vitellius was supported by the armies of Gaul and the Rhineland, and Vespasian was supported by the armies of Judea, Egypt, Moesia, Pannonia, and Illyricum.21 Vitellius was defeated by Vespasian's troops, and in 70, he arrived at Rome and started to restore order after a year of civil war.22
His Rule and Death
"Vespasian's major objectives during his ten-year reign were to restore Rome's finances after Nero's reign (Rome had suffered a major fire in 64, and had been damaged in the struggle against Vitellius); to restore discipline in the army after the civil wars; and to ensure that Titus should succeed him. In all three he was successful." "The immunity from taxation that Nero had given to the Greeks was revoked, and the Colosseum (or 'Flavian Amphitheatre', to be more correct) was begun on the site of the lake of Nero's 'Golden House' - thus giving this part of Rome back to the people."23 He also built a temple to Claudius, and restored the Capitol. He conquered northern England, and parts of Scotland and Germany, and placated Wales. "Vespasian died peacefully . . . at Aquae Cutiliae . . . on 23 June, A.D. 79" He died of diarrhea.24 "He had quite a sense of humor (the historian Suetonius described it as being "... of a low and buffoonish kind"). As often as not, he was the butt of his own jokes, and he would encourage others to tell jokes at his expense as well."25 On his deathbed, his sense of humor shone through as he said "Oh my, I must be turning into a god!" Following his death, he was deified.26
His Religion
Being Roman, Vespasian would of course have believed in the pantheon of Roman gods. These included "Iuppiter, Iuno, Minerva, Vesta, Ceres, Diana, Venus, Mars, Mercurius, Neptunus, Volcanus, and Apollo."27 He did not persecute the Christians.28
Endnotes
1. www.roman-emperors.org/vespasia.htm
2. ibid; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vespasian
3. www.roman-emperors.org/vespasia.htm
4. ibid; www.bartleby.com/61/82/T0248200.html
5. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vespasian
6. ibid
7. ibid
8. www.roman-emperors.org/vespasia.htm
9. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vespasian
10. www.roman-emperors.org/vespasia.htm; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flavia_Domitilla
11. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vespasian
12. www.roman-emperors.org/vespasia.htm
13. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vespasian
14. www.roman-emperors.org/vespasia.htm
15. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vespasian
16. ibid
17. www.roman-emperors.org/vespasia.htm
18. ibid
19. ibid
20. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vespasian
21. ibid
22. ibid
23. www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/vespasian.shtml
24. http://ancienthistory.about.com/cs/people/g/Vespasian.htm
25. www.electriciti.com/garstang/emperors/vespasian.htm
26. www.roman-emperors.org/vespasia.htm
27. www.crystalinks.com/romegods.html
28. www.newadvent.org/cathen/15379a.htm
