VESPASIAN. 69-79AD.. Roman Imperial .AS-8.81 grams

Description: Vespasian(/vspe(i)n,-zin/;Latin:Vespasianus[wspasians]; 17 November AD 9 23/24 June 79) was aRoman emperorwho reigned from AD 69 to 79. The fourth and last emperor who reigned in theYear of the Four Emperors, he founded theFlavian dynastythat ruled the Empire for 27 years. His fiscal reforms and consolidation of the empire generated political stability and a vast Roman building program.Vespasian was the first emperor from anequestrianfamily and only rose later in his lifetime into thesenatorialrank as the first member of his family to do so. Vespasian's renown came from his military success;he waslegateofLegio II Augustaduring theRoman invasion of Britainin 43 and subjugatedJudaeaduring theJewish rebellionof 66. While Vespasianbesieged Jerusalemduring the Jewish rebellion, emperorNerocommitted suicide and plunged Rome into a year ofcivil warknown as theYear of the Four Emperors. AfterGalbaandOthoperished in quick succession,Vitelliusbecame emperor in April 69. The Roman legions ofRoman Egyptand Judaea reacted by declaring Vespasian, their commander, the emperor on 1 July 69. In his bid for imperial power, Vespasian joined forces withMucianus, the governor ofSyria, andPrimus, a general inPannonia, leaving his sonTitusto command the besieging forces atJerusalem. Primus and Mucianus led the Flavian forces against Vitellius, while Vespasian took control of Egypt. On 20 December 69, Vitellius was defeated, and the following day Vespasian was declared emperor by theSenate. Little information survives about the government during Vespasian's ten-year rule. He reformed the financial system of Rome after the campaign against Judaea ended successfully, and initiated several ambitious construction projects, including the building of the Flavian Amphitheatre, better known today as the RomanColosseum. Through his generalAgricola, Vespasian increased imperial expansion in Britain. Vespasian is often credited with restoring political stability to Rome following the chaotic reigns of his predecessors. After he died in 79, he was succeeded by his eldest son Titus, thus becoming the first Roman emperor to be succeeded by his natural son and establishing the Flavian dynasty.Vespasian (born Titus Flavius Vespasianus,pronounced[tts fawijs ws.pasijans]) was born in a village north-east of Rome calledFalacrinae.His familywas relatively undistinguished and lacking in pedigree. Vespasian was the son ofTitus Flavius Sabinus, a Roman moneylender, debt collector, and tax collector. His mother,Vespasia Polla, also belonged to theequestrianorder in society, with her father rising to the rank ofprefect of the campand her brother becoming aSenator. He was educated in the countryside, inCosa, near what is todayAnsedonia,Italy, under the guidance of his paternal grandmother, so much so that even when he became emperor, he often returned to the places of his childhood, having left the formervillaexactly as it had been. Early in his life he was somewhat overshadowed by his older brother,Titus Flavius Sabinus, who had entered public life and pursued thecursus honorum,holding an important military command in theDanube. Vespasian served in the army as a militarytribuneinThracein 36 AD. He was electedquaestorthe following year and then served inCreta et Cyrenaica. He rose through the ranks of Roman public office, being electedaedileon his second attempt in 39 andpraetoron his first attempt in 40, taking the opportunity to ingratiate himself with the EmperorCaligula. In preparation for apraetorship, Vespasian needed two periods of service in the minormagistracies, one military and the other public. Vespasian served in the military inThraciafor about three years. On his return to Rome in about 30 AD, he obtained a post in thevigintivirate, the minor magistracies, most probably in one of the posts in charge of street cleaning.His early performance was so unsuccessful that EmperorCaligulareportedly stuffed handfuls ofmuckdown histogato correct the uncleaned Roman streets, formally his responsibility. During the period of the ascendancy ofSejanus, there is no record of Vespasian's significant activity in political events. After completion of a term in the vigintivirate, Vespasian was entitled to stand for election asquaestor; a senatorial office. But his lack of political or family influence meant that Vespasian served as quaestor in one of the provincial posts inCrete, rather than as assistant to important men in Rome. Next he needed to gain a praetorship, carrying theImperium, but non-patriciansand the less well-connected had to serve in at least one intermediary post as anaedileortribune. Vespasian failed at his first attempt to gain an aedileship but was successful in his second attempt, becoming an aedile in 38. Despite his lack of significant family connections or success in office, he achieved praetorship in either 39 or 40, at the youngest age permitted (30), during a period of political upheaval in the organisation of elections. His long-standing relationship with freed-womanAntonia Caenis, confidential secretary toAntonia Minor(the Emperor's grandmother) and part of the circle ofcourtiersand servants around the Emperor, may have contributed to his success. Invasion of Britannia Upon the accession ofClaudiusas emperor in 41, Vespasian was appointedlegateofLegio IIAugusta, stationed inGermania, thanks to the influence of the ImperialfreedmanNarcissus. In 43, Vespasian and the IIAugustaparticipated in theRoman invasion of Britain, and he distinguished himself under the overall command ofAulus Plautius. After participating in crucial early battles on the riversMedwayandThames, he was sent to reduce the south west, penetrating through the modern counties ofHampshire,Wiltshire,Dorset,Somerset,DevonandCornwallwith the probable objectives of securing the south coast ports and harbours along with the tin mines of Cornwall and the silver and lead mines of Somerset. Vespasian marched fromNoviomagus Reginorum(Chichester) to subdue the hostileDurotrigesandDumnoniitribes,and captured twentyoppida(towns, or more probablyhill forts, includingHod HillandMaiden CastleinDorset). He also invaded Vectis (now theIsle of Wight), finally setting up a fortress and legionary headquarters atIsca Dumnoniorum(Exeter). During this time he injured himself and had not fully recovered until he went to Egypt. These successes earned him triumphal regalia (ornamenta triumphalia) on his return to Rome. His success as the legate of a legion earned him aconsulshipin 51, after which he retired from public life, having incurred the enmity ofClaudius' wife,Agrippina, who was the most powerful and influential figure in her husband's reign.He came out of retirement in 63 when he was sent as governor toAfrica Province. According toTacitus(ii.97), his rule was "infamous and odious" but according toSuetonius(Vesp.4), he was "upright and, highly honourable". On one occasion, Suetonius writes, Vespasian was pelted withturnips. Vespasian used his time in North Africa wisely. Usually, governorships were seen by ex-consuls as opportunities to extort huge amounts of money to regain the wealth they had spent on their previous political campaigns. Corruption was so rife that it was almost expected that a governor would come back from these appointments with his pockets full. However, Vespasian used his time in North Africa making friends instead of money, something that would be far more valuable in the years to come. During his time in North Africa, he found himself in financial difficulties and was forced to mortgage his estates to his brother. To revive his fortunes he turned to themuletrade and gained the nicknamemulio(muleteer). Returning from Africa, Vespasian toured Greece inNero's retinue, but lost Imperial favor after paying insufficient attention (some sources suggest he fell asleep) during one of the Emperor's recitals on thelyre, and found himself in the political wilderness. JewishRoman War Vespasiansestertius, struck in 71 to celebrate the victory in the first Jewish-Roman war. Obverse: IMP. CAES. VESPASIAN AVG. P. M., TR. P., P. P., COS. III. The legend on the reverse says:IVDEA CAPTA, "Judaeaconquered" S. C. In 66 AD, Vespasian was appointed to suppress the Jewish revolt underway inJudea. The fighting there had killed the previous governor and routedCestius Gallus, the governor ofSyria, when he tried to restore order. Two legions, with eight cavalry squadrons and tenauxiliarycohorts, were therefore dispatched under the command of Vespasian while his elder son, Titus, arrived fromAlexandriawith another. During this time he became the patron ofFlavius Josephus, aJewishresistance leader captured at theSiege of Yodfat, who would later write his people's history in Greek. Ultimately, thousands of Jews were killed and the Romans destroyed many towns in re-establishing control over Judea; they also took Jerusalem in 70. Vespasian is remembered by Josephus (writing as a Roman citizen), in hisAntiquities of the Jews, as a fair and humane official, in contrast with the notoriousHerod Agrippa IIwhom Josephus goes to great lengths to demonize. While under the emperor's patronage, Josephus wrote that after the RomanLegio X Fretensis, accompanied by Vespasian, destroyedJerichoon 21 June 68, Vespasian took a group of Jews who could not swim (possiblyEssenesfromQumran), fettered them, and threw them into theDead Seato test the sea's legendarybuoyancy. Indeed, the captives bobbed up to the surface after being thrown in the water from the boats. Josephus (as well asTacitus), reporting on the conclusion of the Jewish war, reported a prophecy that around the time when Jerusalem and theSecond Templewould be taken, a man from their own nation,viz.theMessiah, would become governor "of the habitable earth". Josephus interpreted the prophecy to denote Vespasian and his appointment as emperor in Judea. After the death of Nero in 68, Rome saw a succession of short-lived emperors and a year ofcivil wars.Galbawas murdered by supporters ofOtho, who was defeated byVitellius. Otho's supporters, looking for another candidate to support, settled on Vespasian. According to Suetonius, a prophecy ubiquitous in the Eastern provinces claimed that fromJudaeawould come the future rulers of the world. Vespasian eventually believed that this prophecy applied to him, and found a number ofomensandoraclesthat reinforced this belief. Although Vespasian and Titus resolved to challenge for the Principate in February 69, they made no move until later in the year. Throughout the early months of 69, Vespasian convened frequently with the Eastern generals.Gaius Licinius Mucianuswas a notable ally. Governor of Syria and commander of three legions, Mucianus also held political connections to many of the most powerful Roman military commanders from Illyricum to Britannia by virtue of his service to the famous Neronian generalGnaeus Domitius Corbulo. In May 69, Mucianus formally implored Vespasian to challenge Vitellius. His appeal was followed by Vespasian's official proclamation as Emperor in early July. Under instructions from the prefect Tiberius Alexander, the legions at Alexandria took an oath of loyalty to Vespasian on 1 July. They were swiftly followed by Vespasian's Judaean legions on 3 July and thereafter by Mucianus' Syrian legions on 15 July. Vitellius, the occupant of the throne, had the veteran legions ofGauland theRhineland. But the feeling in Vespasian's favour quickly gathered strength, and the armies ofMoesia,Pannonia, andIllyricumsoon declared for him, and made him thede factomaster of half of the Roman world. While Vespasian himself was in Egypt securing itsgrain supply, his troops enteredItalyfrom the northeast under the leadership ofMarcus Antonius Primus. They defeated Vitellius' army (which had awaited him inMevania) atBedriacum(or Betriacum), sackedCremonaand advanced on Rome. Vitellius hastily arranged a peace with Antonius, but the Emperor'sPraetorian Guardforced him to retain his seat. After furious fighting, Antonius' army entered Rome. In the resulting confusion, theCapitolwas destroyed by fire and Vespasian's brother Sabinus was killed by a mob. AtAlexandria, on receiving the tidings of his rival's defeat and death, the new emperor at once forwarded supplies of urgently-needed grain to Rome, along with an edict assuring he would reverse the laws of Nero, especially those relating totreason. While in Egypt, he visited the Temple ofSerapiswhere he reportedly experienced avision. Later, he was confronted by two labourers, who were convinced that he possessed a divine power that could workmiracles. Thepraefectus AegyptiwasTiberius Julius Alexander, who had been governor since Nero's reign.He proclaimed Vespasian emperor at Alexandria on 1 July 69 AD. The prefect was himself of Hellenized Jewish descent and related toPhilo of Alexandria.The importance of the Egyptian grain harvest (Latin:claustra annonae,lit.'key to the grain supply') to Rome helped Vespasian assert control over the whole empire. Vespasian was the first emperor (andpharaoh) since Augustus to appear in Egypt.At the hippodrome of Alexandria he was hailed aspharaoh; recalling the welcome ofAlexander the Greatat theOracle of Zeus-Ammonof theSiwa Oasis, Vespasian was proclaimed the son of the creator-deityAmun(Zeus-Ammon), in the style of the ancient pharaohs, and an incarnation of Serapis in the manner of the Ptolemies. As Pharaonic precedent demanded, Vespasian demonstrated his divine election by the traditional methods of spitting on and trampling a blind and crippled man, thereby miraculously healing him. (This Egyptian tradition of healing is related to thehealing the man blind from birth, one of themiraclesofJesus of Nazareth.). Vespasian was declared emperor by the Senate while he was in Egypt on 21 December 69; the Egyptians had declared him emperor in the summer. In the short-term, administration of the empire was given toMucianuswho was aided by Vespasian's son,Domitian. Mucianus started off Vespasian's rule with tax reform that was to restore the empire's finances. After Vespasian arrived in Rome in mid-70, Mucianus continued to press Vespasian to collect as many taxes as possible. Vespasian and Mucianus renewed old taxes and instituted new ones, increased the tribute of the provinces, and kept a watchful eye upon the treasury officials. The LatinproverbPecunia non olet("Money does not stink") may have been created when he had introduced aurine taxon public toilets. Before Vespasian, this tax was imposed byEmperor Nerounder the name ofvectigal urinaein the 1st century AD. However, the tax was removed after a while; it was re-enacted by Vespasian around 70 AD in order to fill the treasury.Vespasian's policy was not well received by his son. Writing about Vespasian in their history books,Dio CassiusandSuetoniusmentioned "When [Vespasian's] sonTitusblamed him for even laying a tax upon urine, he applied to his nose a piece of the money he received in the first instalment, and asked him if it stunk. And he replying no, 'And yet,' said he, 'it is derived from urine". Since then, this phrase "Money does not stink" has been used to whitewash dubious or illegal origin ofmoney. In early 70 Vespasian was still in Egypt, the source of Rome's grain supply, and had not yet left for Rome. According toTacitus, his trip was delayed due to bad weather.Modern historians theorize that Vespasian had been and was continuing to consolidate support from the Egyptians before departing.Stories of a divine Vespasian healing people circulated in Egypt.During this period, protests erupted in Alexandria over his new tax policies and grain shipments were held up. Vespasian eventually restored order and grain shipments to Rome resumed. In addition to the uprising in Egypt, unrest and civil war continued in the rest of the empire in 70. Judea had beenrebelling since 66. Vespasian's son,Titus, finally subdued the rebellion with the capture of Jerusalem and destruction of theJewish Templein 70. According toEusebius, Vespasian then ordered all descendants of the royal line ofDavidto be hunted down, causing the Jews to be persecuted from province to province. Several modern historians have suggested that Vespasian, already having been told by Josephus that he was prophesied to become emperor whilst in Judaea, was probably reacting to other widely known Messianic prophecies circulating at the time, to suppress any rival claimants arising from that dynasty.[35]Titus attended the consecration of a newApis bullatMemphisin 70, and Vespasian's reign saw imperial patronage given to Egyptian temples: at theDakhla Oasisin theWestern Desertas well asEsna,Kom Ombo,Medinet Habu,Silsilain theNile Valley.By contrast, the Jewish temple atLeontopoliswas sacked in 73. In January 70, an uprising occurred inGauland Germany, known as the secondBatavian Rebellion. This rebellion was headed byGaius Julius CivilisandJulius Sabinus. Sabinus, claiming he was descended fromJulius Caesar, declared himself Emperor of Gaul. The rebellion defeated and absorbed two Roman legions before it was suppressed by Vespasian's son-in-law,Quintus Petillius Cerialis, by the end of 70. Arrival in Rome and gathering support In mid-70, Vespasian first went to Rome, dating histribunicianyears from 1 July 69.Vespasian immediately embarked on a series of efforts to stay in power and prevent future revolts. He offered gifts to many in the military and much of the public.Soldiers loyal to Vitellius were dismissed or punished.Vespasian also restructured the Senatorial and Equestrian orders, removing his enemies and adding his allies.Regional autonomy of Greek provinces was repealed.Additionally, Vespasian made significant attempts to control public perception of his rule. Propaganda campaign We know from Suetonius that the "unexpected and still quite new emperor was lackingauctoritas[English:backing, support] and a certainmaiestas[English:majesty]".Many modern historians note the increased amount of propaganda that appeared during Vespasian's reign.A component of the propaganda was thetheology of victory, which legitimized the right to rule through successful conquest.This revolved around Vespasian's victory in Judea.Stories of a supernatural emperor who was destined to rule circulated in the empire.Nearly one-third of all coins minted in Rome under Vespasian celebrated military victory or peace.The wordvindexwas removed from coins so as not to remind the public of rebelliousVindex. Construction projects bore inscriptions praising Vespasian and condemning previous emperors.A temple of peace was constructed in the forum as well.Vespasian approved histories written under his reign, ensuring biases against him were removed. Vespasian also gave financial rewards to writers.The ancient historians who lived through the period such asTacitus,SuetoniusandJosephusspeak suspiciously well of Vespasian while condemning the emperors who came before him.Tacitus admits that his status was elevated by Vespasian, Josephus identifies Vespasian as a patron and saviour. Meanwhile,Pliny the Elderdedicated hisNatural Historiesto Vespasian's son, Titus. Those who spoke against Vespasian were punished. A number ofStoicphilosophers were accused of corrupting students with inappropriate teachings and were expelled from Rome.Helvidius Priscus, a pro-Republic philosopher, was executed for his teachings.Numerous other philosophers and writers had their works seized, destroyed and denounced for being deemed too critical of Vespasian's reign, some even posthumously. Construction and conspiracies Between 71 and 79, much of Vespasian's reign is a mystery. Historians report that Vespasian ordered the construction of several buildings in Rome. Additionally, he survived several conspiracies against him. 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 ofApollo, begun underNero, and he dedicated a stage of the theatre of Marcellus. He also began construction of theColosseum, using funds from the spoils of theJewish Templeafter theSiege of Jerusalem.Suetoniusclaims that Vespasian was met with "constant conspiracies" against him. Only one conspiracy is known specifically, though. In 78 or 79,Eprius MarcellusandAulus Caecina Alienusattempted to kill Vespasian. Why these men turned against Vespasian is not known. Roman expansion in Britain Agricola was appointed to the command of theLegio XX Valeria Victrix, stationed in Britain, in place ofMarcus Roscius Coelius, who had stirred up a mutiny against the governor,Marcus Vettius Bolanus. Britain had revolted during the year of civil war, and Bolanus was a mild governor. Agricola reimposed discipline on the legion and helped to consolidate Roman rule. In 71, Bolanus was replaced by a more aggressive governor,Quintus Petillius Cerialis, and Agricola was able to display his talents as a commander in campaigns against theBrigantesin northern England. Death In his ninth consulship Vespasian had a slight illness inCampaniaand, returning at once to Rome, he left forAquae Cutiliaeand the country aroundReate, where he spent every summer; however, his illness worsened and he developed severediarrhea. With the feeling of death overwhelming him on his deathbed, he incited: "Vae, puto deus fio." ("Dear me, I think I'm becoming a god").Then, according toSuetonius'The Twelve Caesars: Taken on a sudden with such an attack of diarrhoea that he all but swooned, he said: "An emperor ought to die standing," and while he was struggling to get on his feet, he died in the arms of those who tried to help him, on the ninth day before the Kalends of July [June 23], at the age of sixty-nine years, seven months and seven days. Suetonius,Lives of the Twelve Caesars, "Life of Vespasian" 24 He died on June 23, 79 AD, and was succeeded by his sonsTitusand thenDomitian

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