• Born in 9 AD – died 79 AD• Emporer from 69-79 AD• Suceeded Nero who died in 68 AD• Came to power after Year of Four Emporers• Restored peace and stability to empire in disarray• Established Flavian dynasty

Vespasian’s rise to power• After death of Gaius in AD 41, Vespasian advanced rapidly, thanks to

Claudius who took over power• In 51 AD Vespasian reached the rank of consul• Resigned from political career for unknown reasons at this point• Returned to politics when chosen proconsul of Africa in 63-64 AD• Returned to Rome and became a senior senator in Nero’s court• In 66 AD Nero gave Vespasian a special command to put down the revolt

in Judea• In 68 AD Nero committed suicide, bringing chaos to the empire for the

next 18 months

Year of Four Emporers

• After Nero died in 68 AD there were four emperors who claimed the position of emperor

• Galba, Marcus Salvius Otho and Aulus Vitellus each claimed the position of emperor

• By December 22, 69 AD Vespasian had fully assumed all of the titles and powers of the emperor

• Vespasian legitimized his new reign with vigor and he also promoted the principle of dynastic succession

Vespasian’s Emperorship

• Rebuilt the Capitol in Rome and built the Coliseum, a temple to Claudius and a temple of peace in the forum

• Raised taxes to pay for the building projects and was not well liked in doing that

• Died peacefully at Aquae Cutilae on June 23, 79 AD• Deified in Rome and buried alongside the Julio-Claudians in

the Mausoleum of Augustus

• Born on December 30, 39 AD; one of three children of Vespasian• Close friends with Claudius’ son Brittanicus from boyhood until

Brittanicus’ death under Nero in 55 AD• Early career posts remain obscure but in 61(?) AD he served as a military

tribune. While in Britain he is said to have saved Vespasian’s life.• Returning to rome in 64 AD Titus practiced law and little is known about

his political career during this time.• In 67-68 AD Vespasian placed Titus at the head of a legion during the

Jewish Revolt• After Nero died in 68 AD little is heard from Titus during the year of four

emperors except when he sieged Jerusalem

Titus’ Reign

• Titus was feared as the next Nero • He poured capital into extensive building projects including

the Coliseum and the Arch of Titus• He also poured money into relieving distress in the area

surrounding Mount Vesuvius from the eruption in 79 AD• Died in 81 AD in same villa as his father• Domitian diefied Titus and built several monuments to him

incluyding the Temple of Vespasian and Titus.