The life of Vespasian
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Early Life
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Titus Flavius Vespasianus was born on the 17 November, 9 AD in Falacrina, Italy. His family was not distinguished and had held no major offices of power. His grandfather, Titus Flavius Petro, had risen to the rank of Centurion while fighting for Pompey the Great at Pharsalus. His father, Titus Flavius Sabinus, had been a customs official in Asia and moneylender. However, Sabinus had married into a family of higher standing, elevating his social position.
Vespasian was the youngest of three children. His oldest sibling, a sister, died when she was young. Vespasian grew up in the shadow of his older brother, Titus Flavius Sabinus, who rose quickly through the Roman hierarchy, achieving the rank of aedile in 39 AD and praetor in 40. Vespasian was not expected to achieve the same success as his brother had. However, after being pressured by his mother he eventually followed in his brother's footsteps and pursued a life of public service. He married Flavia Domitilla, and they had two sons, Titus Flavius Vespasianus and Titus Flavius Domitianus, and a daughter, Domitilla. Both his sons would one day take the throne after Vespasian, but his wife and daughter would both die before Vespasian became emperor. military CareerVespasian's career was a successful one. He first served in the Roman military where he was stationed in Thrace for three years. He earned the favour of Emperor Claudius, partly due to the influence of Narcissus, an imperial freedman, and eventually was placed in command of the second legion during the invasion of Britain in 43. Vespasian succeeded in occupying the Isle of Wight and then swept towards the west of southern England conquering towns all the way to Devon and established a fortress at Isca Dumnoniorum, modern day Exeter. Vespasian's victories in Britain boosted his career and helped him to be appointed consul in 51 and later proconsul of Africa in 63. Here he was generally unpopular due to his harsh policies put in place to restore financial stability. However his policies proved effective and earned him much praise.
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Bust of Vespasian. By Originally uploaded by user:shakko - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3267302
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His competency enhanced his status in the eyes of Emperor Claudius and his successor, Nero. After becoming a close adviser to Nero, he was tasked with quelling the Jewish Revolt of 66-70. Jewish rebels had killed the previous governor of Judaea, whom Vespasian would replace, and also the governor of Syria, Cestius Gallus, who had tried to stop the rebellion. Vespasian's son Titus came from Alexandria to aid him in suppressing the revolt. The resulting conflict left thousands dead and many towns destroyed. However, Vespasian was said to have acted as a fair and humane commander during the conflict. Vespasian successfully recovered Judaea, except for Jerusalem which would be taken in 70. Vespasian's campaign was brought to an abrupt halt when Nero died in 68.
Following Nero's death, Rome experienced a period of chaos, instability and a succession of short-lived emperors known as the 'Year of the Four Emperors'. Galba, a leading figure in the rebellion against Nero was the first of the four emperors. His reign would be cut short by a former ally of his and childhood friend of Nero, Otho. Otho was popular with the military while Galba was not, especially after having refused to reward them for overthrowing Nero. Otho was able to persuade the Praetorian Guard to join him and murder Galba. Otho himself would not last long as Galba's successor as Vitellius, a commander of the legions in Germania Inferior, decided he would make a bid for power. Vitellius amassed a much larger force than Otho and defeated him in battle, causing Otho to commit suicide rather than let more of his men die. Many were not happy with Vitellius's reign. Soon eyes turned to Vespasian as a potential replacement. Vespasian's men were loyal to him and were prepared to support him in a war against Vitellius. The new governor of Syria, Mucianus, and his legions also supported Vespasian in his bid for the throne. Vespasian was officially proclaimed emperor on the 1 July 69 by another ally of his, Tiberius Julius Alexander, in Egypt.
Following Nero's death, Rome experienced a period of chaos, instability and a succession of short-lived emperors known as the 'Year of the Four Emperors'. Galba, a leading figure in the rebellion against Nero was the first of the four emperors. His reign would be cut short by a former ally of his and childhood friend of Nero, Otho. Otho was popular with the military while Galba was not, especially after having refused to reward them for overthrowing Nero. Otho was able to persuade the Praetorian Guard to join him and murder Galba. Otho himself would not last long as Galba's successor as Vitellius, a commander of the legions in Germania Inferior, decided he would make a bid for power. Vitellius amassed a much larger force than Otho and defeated him in battle, causing Otho to commit suicide rather than let more of his men die. Many were not happy with Vitellius's reign. Soon eyes turned to Vespasian as a potential replacement. Vespasian's men were loyal to him and were prepared to support him in a war against Vitellius. The new governor of Syria, Mucianus, and his legions also supported Vespasian in his bid for the throne. Vespasian was officially proclaimed emperor on the 1 July 69 by another ally of his, Tiberius Julius Alexander, in Egypt.
War against Vitellius
Vitellius would not be easy to defeat as he had the veteran troops of Gaul and the Rhineland still under his command. However, word of Vespasian's proclamation as emperor spread and many joined his cause. Soon the military strength of the provinces of Illyricum, Pannonia and Moesia supported him.
Vespasian's troops invaded Italy soon after and defeated Vitellius's forces at the second battle of Bedriacum. Soon after, Antonius Primus and Cornelius Fuscus, commanders of the troops of Pannonia and Illyricum respectively, successfully defeated Vitellius's forces once again at Cremonia. With these two swift and decisive victories Vespasian's forces began to advance on Rome. Meanwhile, Vespasian had travelled to Alexandria where he halted Rome's supply of grain, causing the city to descend into chaos.
Knowing he would possibly be defeated, Vitellius tried to arrange the transfer of power from himself to Vespasian in order to save his own life but his Praetorian Guard would not allow him to surrender. Vespasian's older brother, Sabinus, who was currently serving as city prefect, attempted to take control of the city on behalf of Vespasian, but he was killed by Vitellius's troops before he could do so. Vespasian's forces eventually entered Rome and Vitellius was subsequently marched through the streets where he was eventually beheaded and his body thrown into the Tiber.
Upon hearing of Vitellius's death, Vespasian immediately began shipping grain and other supplies to Rome in order to restore peace. Vespasian also reversed treason laws set in place by Nero. Leaving Titus to command in Judaea, Vespasian travelled to Rome in the summer of 70.
Vespasian's troops invaded Italy soon after and defeated Vitellius's forces at the second battle of Bedriacum. Soon after, Antonius Primus and Cornelius Fuscus, commanders of the troops of Pannonia and Illyricum respectively, successfully defeated Vitellius's forces once again at Cremonia. With these two swift and decisive victories Vespasian's forces began to advance on Rome. Meanwhile, Vespasian had travelled to Alexandria where he halted Rome's supply of grain, causing the city to descend into chaos.
Knowing he would possibly be defeated, Vitellius tried to arrange the transfer of power from himself to Vespasian in order to save his own life but his Praetorian Guard would not allow him to surrender. Vespasian's older brother, Sabinus, who was currently serving as city prefect, attempted to take control of the city on behalf of Vespasian, but he was killed by Vitellius's troops before he could do so. Vespasian's forces eventually entered Rome and Vitellius was subsequently marched through the streets where he was eventually beheaded and his body thrown into the Tiber.
Upon hearing of Vitellius's death, Vespasian immediately began shipping grain and other supplies to Rome in order to restore peace. Vespasian also reversed treason laws set in place by Nero. Leaving Titus to command in Judaea, Vespasian travelled to Rome in the summer of 70.
The Triumph of Titus and Vespasian. By Giulio Romano - http://www.reproarte.com/tableau/Giulio_Romano/Le+Triomphe+de+Titus/9313.html, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2472431
Reign
The Senate officially granted Vespasian his powers on the 21st December, but he himself claimed he was emperor months before, in July of that year, ignoring protocol that even Vitellius had adhered to.
Vespasian's main goal was to restore Rome's finances and bring peace and order to the Roman Empire after years of frivolous spending and civil war in the period of Nero's reign and the 'Year of the Four Emperors'. To do this it was necessary to implement a new financial program that increased provincial taxes, sometimes up to twice the level it had been originally. Vespasian also ended any taxation immunity in the empire such as in Greece, where immunity from tax had been granted by Nero. Vespasian also diverted taxation paid by the Jews of the diaspora to the Temple in Jerusalem instead to Rome which caused many at the time to claim greed was the motivation behind these new policies. Vespasian, however, lived a very modest lifestyle to set an example.
Vespasian also needed to restore order to the military which had seen many turncoats in the recent year and to ensure the succession of his son, Titus, as emperor. In 70 AD Vespasian made plans to ensure he remained in power by making gifts to loyal members of the military and the public who had supported him. He also saw that those still loyal to Vitellius were punished or exiled. Next, Vespasian dealt with Rome's elite classes, ensuring that he removed enemies and replaced them with supporters. An effort was made to bolster the Roman forces stationed in the east. Currently only one army composed of four legions was stationed there. Vespasian re-ordered these forces into three armies of six legions.
Vespasian instituted a propaganda campaign in order to control the public's view of his rule. There were tales spread across the empire of the almost mythic emperor, Vespasian, who had supernatural powers and whose rule had been foretold by prophecy. He also commissioned a large number of construction projects which contained inscriptions in praise of him and criticised those who had come before him. The most important construction project during his reign was the Colosseum which was funded using booty plundered from his siege of Jerusalem during the Jewish revolt. The grand arena, however, would not be finished until after his death.
Vespasian's reign did not see much military action. He did send the father-in-law of the historian Tacitus, Roman general Agricola, to Britain as governor with the intent of pushing the frontier northwards into northern Caledonia, modern day Scotland. The region that makes up modern day Wales was also successfully pacified, bringing the British Isles virtually under the total control of Rome. Vespasian also had good relations with many of the barbarian tribes of Northern Europe.
Vespasian had initially relied upon Mucianus as a chief adviser. However, when he died in 76, it was Titus who took over this role. It was clear to all that Vespasian intended Titus to succeed him as emperor and continue the peace and stability that had existed for almost a decade. However, the idea of an heir was still objected to by some senators in Rome. After all, although the Julio-Claudian dynasty had started off successfully it had ended in disaster.
Vespasian's main goal was to restore Rome's finances and bring peace and order to the Roman Empire after years of frivolous spending and civil war in the period of Nero's reign and the 'Year of the Four Emperors'. To do this it was necessary to implement a new financial program that increased provincial taxes, sometimes up to twice the level it had been originally. Vespasian also ended any taxation immunity in the empire such as in Greece, where immunity from tax had been granted by Nero. Vespasian also diverted taxation paid by the Jews of the diaspora to the Temple in Jerusalem instead to Rome which caused many at the time to claim greed was the motivation behind these new policies. Vespasian, however, lived a very modest lifestyle to set an example.
Vespasian also needed to restore order to the military which had seen many turncoats in the recent year and to ensure the succession of his son, Titus, as emperor. In 70 AD Vespasian made plans to ensure he remained in power by making gifts to loyal members of the military and the public who had supported him. He also saw that those still loyal to Vitellius were punished or exiled. Next, Vespasian dealt with Rome's elite classes, ensuring that he removed enemies and replaced them with supporters. An effort was made to bolster the Roman forces stationed in the east. Currently only one army composed of four legions was stationed there. Vespasian re-ordered these forces into three armies of six legions.
Vespasian instituted a propaganda campaign in order to control the public's view of his rule. There were tales spread across the empire of the almost mythic emperor, Vespasian, who had supernatural powers and whose rule had been foretold by prophecy. He also commissioned a large number of construction projects which contained inscriptions in praise of him and criticised those who had come before him. The most important construction project during his reign was the Colosseum which was funded using booty plundered from his siege of Jerusalem during the Jewish revolt. The grand arena, however, would not be finished until after his death.
Vespasian's reign did not see much military action. He did send the father-in-law of the historian Tacitus, Roman general Agricola, to Britain as governor with the intent of pushing the frontier northwards into northern Caledonia, modern day Scotland. The region that makes up modern day Wales was also successfully pacified, bringing the British Isles virtually under the total control of Rome. Vespasian also had good relations with many of the barbarian tribes of Northern Europe.
Vespasian had initially relied upon Mucianus as a chief adviser. However, when he died in 76, it was Titus who took over this role. It was clear to all that Vespasian intended Titus to succeed him as emperor and continue the peace and stability that had existed for almost a decade. However, the idea of an heir was still objected to by some senators in Rome. After all, although the Julio-Claudian dynasty had started off successfully it had ended in disaster.
A coin bearing the image of Vespasian. By Classical Numismatic Group, Inc. http://www.cngcoins.com, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2185512
Death & Legacy
In 79 Vespasian had ruled for almost 10 years when he was struck down by illness while in Campania. After returning at once to Rome he left for Aquae Cutiliae where he would usually spend the summer. While he was there his illness worsened, and he developed severe diarrhoea. According to Suetonius, knowing he was close to death, Vespasian claimed that "an emperor ought to die standing upright". Upon being raised by helpers he died in their hands. It is unknown if this account is true however, as his last words are disputed.
Vespasian was remembered for his wit and his kindness while also having a commanding personality and brilliant military prowess. His rule enjoyed good relations with the senate as he could be understanding about impoverished senators and equestrians. He was especially generous to men of letters and rhetors, several of whom he pensioned off with salaries of as much as 1,000 gold pieces a year. Quintilian is said to have been the first public teacher who enjoyed this imperial favour. Tacitus was starting his senatorial career during the final years of Vespasian's reign and remarked that he was “the only emperor who had changed for the better".
Vespasian's first born son, Titus, succeeded him as emperor, continuing the Flavian Dynasty.
Vespasian was remembered for his wit and his kindness while also having a commanding personality and brilliant military prowess. His rule enjoyed good relations with the senate as he could be understanding about impoverished senators and equestrians. He was especially generous to men of letters and rhetors, several of whom he pensioned off with salaries of as much as 1,000 gold pieces a year. Quintilian is said to have been the first public teacher who enjoyed this imperial favour. Tacitus was starting his senatorial career during the final years of Vespasian's reign and remarked that he was “the only emperor who had changed for the better".
Vespasian's first born son, Titus, succeeded him as emperor, continuing the Flavian Dynasty.
Quotes
"Dear me, I think I'm becoming a god" - Last words
"Riches are well, if gotten well and spent well"
"It becomes an emperor to die standing"
"Riches are well, if gotten well and spent well"
"It becomes an emperor to die standing"
Trivia
- Vespasian only took up a career in politics after being persuaded by his mother.
- While Vespasian was responsible for the initial construction of the Colosseum it was not completed until the reign of his son, Titus.
- Due to his harsh policies in North Africa, Vespasian was supposedly bombarded with turnips by enraged locals.
- With Vespasian's ascension to the throne the Flavian dynasty was founded.
- Vespasian was the fourth and final emperor in the Year of the Four Emperors.
- According to Suetonius, a prophecy in the Eastern provinces claimed that the future rulers of the world would hail from Judaea, where Vespasian was governor. Vespasian would come to believe he was destined to become emperor.
- Vespasian reportedly fell asleep during one of Nero's recitals and almost incurred the Emperor's wrath.
- Vespasian had the name Vindex removed from coins in an attempt to make the public forget Vindex's rebellion.
- Vespasian did not like philosophers in general. He viewed them as unmanly complainers.
- Vespasian was the first Roman Emperor to be succeeded by a natural-born son.