Flavian dynasty

• 1. Rise From Obscurity

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  Titus Flavius Petro fled the battlefield at Pharsalus in 48 BCE, ending his military career in disgrace. This centurion under Pompey managed to improve his family's status by marrying Tertulla, an extremely wealthy woman whose fortune guaranteed upward mobility for their son Titus Flavius Sabinus I. Sabinus himself amassed further wealth and possible equestrian status through his services as tax collector in Asia and banker in Helvetia. By marrying Vespasia Polla he allied himself to the more prestigious patrician gens Vespasia, ensuring the elevation of his sons Titus Flavius Sabinus II and Vespasian to the senatorial rank. Around 38 CE, Vespasian married Domitilla the Elder, the daughter of an equestrian from Ferentium. They had two sons, Titus Flavius Vespasianus born in 39 and Titus Flavius Domitianus born in 51, and a daughter, Domitilla born in 45. Domitilla the Elder died before Vespasian became emperor. Thereafter his mistress Caenis was his wife in all but name until she died in 74. The political career of Vespasian included the offices of quaestor, aedile and praetor, and culminated with a consulship in 51, the year Domitian was born.

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• 2. Year Of Four Emperors

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  On the 9th of June 68, amidst growing opposition of the Senate and army, Nero committed suicide, ending the Julio-Claudian dynasty. Chaos ensued, leading to a year of brutal civil war known as the Year of the Four Emperors. Galba, Otho, Vitellius and Vespasian successively vied for imperial power. News of Nero's death reached Vespasian as he was preparing to besiege Jerusalem. Almost simultaneously the Senate declared Galba governor of Hispania Tarraconensis as Emperor of Rome. Rather than continue his campaign, Vespasian decided to await further orders and sent Titus to greet the new Emperor. Before reaching Italy, however, Titus learnt that Galba had been murdered and replaced by Otho. At the same time, Vitellius and his armies in Germania had risen in revolt. When Otho was defeated by Vitellius at the First Battle of Bedriacum, the armies in Judaea and Egypt took matters into their own hands. They declared Vespasian emperor on the 1st of July 69. Vespasian accepted and entered an alliance with Gaius Licinius Mucianus, governor of Syria, against Vitellius. A strong force drawn from Judaean and Syrian legions marched on Rome under command of Mucianus. On the 24th of October 69 forces of Vitellius and Vespasian clashed at Second Battle of Bedriacum, ending in crushing defeat for Vitellius' armies. On the 18th of December, the emperor appeared to deposit imperial insignia at Temple of Concord but retraced steps to palace. In confusion, leading men gathered at Sabinus house proclaiming Vespasian Emperor. Domitian himself managed to escape by disguising himself as worshipper of Isis. By afternoon of the 20th of December, Vitellius was dead. The following day, the 21st of December, Senate proclaimed Vespasian emperor of Roman Empire.

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• 3. Destruction Of Jerusalem

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  In 66 Jews of Judaea Province revolted against Roman Empire. Cestius Gallus, legate of Syria, forced to retreat from Jerusalem and defeated at battle of Beth-Horon. Nero appointed Vespasian to put down rebellion, dispatching him to region at once with fifth and tenth legions. He later joined by Titus at Ptolemais, bringing fifteenth legion. With strength of 60,000 professional soldiers, Romans quickly swept across Galilee. By 68 they marched on Jerusalem. Most significant military campaign undertaken during Flavian period was siege and destruction of Jerusalem in 70 by Titus. Destruction of city was culmination of Roman campaign in Judaea following Jewish uprising of 66. Second Temple completely demolished after which Titus's soldiers proclaimed him imperator in honor of victory. Jerusalem sacked and much population killed or dispersed. Josephus claims that 1,100,000 people were killed during siege, majority being Jewish. 97,000 captured and enslaved including Simon Bar Giora and John of Giscala. Many fled to areas around Mediterranean. Titus reportedly refused to accept wreath of victory, disclaiming any such honor saying he merely lent arms to God. Upon return to Rome in 71, Titus awarded triumph. Accompanied by Vespasian and Domitian, he rode into city enthusiastically saluted by Roman populace. Procession contained treasures and captives from war including gold, silver, Menorah and Torah taken from Temple of Jerusalem. Leaders of resistance executed in Forum. Triumphal Arch of Titus stands at one entrance to Forum memorializing victory.

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• 4. Disasters And Relief Efforts

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  On the 24th of August 79 barely two months after his accession Mount Vesuvius erupted resulting in almost complete destruction of life and property in cities and resort communities around Bay of Naples. Cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum buried under metres of stone and lava killing thousands of citizens. Exact number of casualties unknown though estimates of population of Pompeii range between 10,000 and 25,000 with at least thousand bodies currently recovered in and around city ruins. Titus appointed two ex-consuls to organize and coordinate relief effort while personally donating large amounts money from imperial treasury to aid victims of volcano. He visited Pompeii once after eruption and again following year. During Titus second visit to disaster area fire struck Rome lasting three days. Although extent damage not as disastrous as during Great Fire of 64, crucially sparing many districts of insulae Cassius Dio records long list important public buildings destroyed including Agrippa Pantheon, Temple Jupiter, Diribitorium parts Pompey Theatre Saepta Julia among others. Once again Titus personally compensated damaged regions. According to Suetonius plague similarly struck during fire. Nature disease death toll remained unknown until 2023 when Giovanni Meledandri published research article concluding epidemic most probably caused by H5N1 virus commonly known avian flu.

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• 5. Financial Reforms And Coinage

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  One Vespasian first acts Emperor enforce tax reform restore Empire depleted treasury. After arriving Rome mid-70 Mucianus continued press Vespasian collect taxes possible renewing old ones instituting new ones. Mucianus Vespasian increased tribute provinces keeping watchful eye upon treasury officials. Latin proverb Pecunia non olet Money does not smell may have created when he introduced urine tax on public toilets. Upon accession Domitian revalued Roman coinage standard Augustus increasing silver content denarius 12%. Imminent crisis 85 forced devaluation Neronian standard 65 but still higher level which Vespasian Titus maintained during reign. Domitian rigorous taxation policy ensured this standard sustained following eleven years. Coin types era display highly consistent degree quality including meticulous attention Domitian titulature exceptionally refined artwork reverse portraits. Jones estimates Domitian annual income more than 1,200 million sestertii over one-third presumably spent maintaining Roman army. Other major area expenditure encompassed vast reconstruction programme carried out city Rome itself.

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• 6. Architectural Legacy

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  Flavian dynasty perhaps best known vast construction programme city Rome intended restore capital damage suffered Great Fire 64 civil war 69. Vespasian added Temple Peace Temple Deified Claudius. In 75 colossal statue Apollo begun Nero as statue himself finished Vespasian orders dedicated stage theater Marcellus. Construction Flavian Amphitheatre presently better known Colosseum probably after nearby statue begun 70 under Vespasian finally completed 80 under Titus. Adjacent amphitheatre within precinct Nero Golden House Titus ordered construction new public bath-house bear name. Construction building hastily finished coincide completion Flavian Amphitheatre. Bulk Flavian construction projects carried out reign Domitian who spent lavishly restore embellish city Rome. Much more renovation project however Domitian building programme intended crowning achievement Empire-wide cultural renaissance. Around fifty structures erected restored completed number second only amount erected Augustus. Among most important new structures Odeum Stadium expansive palace Palatine Hill known Flavian Palace designed Domitian master architect Rabirius. Most important building Domitian restored Temple Jupiter Capitoline Hill said covered gilded roof. Among those completed Temple Vespasian Titus Colosseum to which he added fourth level finished interior seating area according many sources Arch Titus.

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• 7. Domitian Autocracy

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  Domitian declared emperor Praetorian Guard day Titus death commencing reign lasting more than fifteen years longer any man governed Rome since Tiberius. Domitian strengthened economy revaluing Roman coinage expanded border defenses Empire initiated massive building programme restore damaged city Rome. In Britain Gnaeus Julius Agricola expanded Roman Empire far modern Scotland between 77 and 84. In Dacia Domitian unable procure decisive victory war against Dacians. On the 18th of September 96 Domitian assassinated court officials with him Flavian dynasty came end. Same day succeeded friend advisor Nerva founded long-lasting Nervan-Antonian dynasty. Domitian memory condemned oblivion Roman Senate notoriously difficult relationship throughout reign. Senatorial authors Tacitus Pliny Younger Suetonius published histories after death propagating view Domitian cruel paranoid tyrant. Modern history rejected views instead characterizing Domitian ruthless efficient autocrat cultural economic political programme provided foundation Principate peaceful 2nd century. Successors Nerva Trajan less restrictive reality policies differed little Domitian's. Once Emperor quickly dispensed Republican facade transformed government more or less formally divine monarchy believed be. By moving centre power imperial court Domitian openly rendered Senate powers obsolete. Became personally involved all branches administration edicts issued governing smallest details everyday life law taxation public morals rigidly enforced.

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