Vespasian
Titus Flavius Vespasianus entered the world on the 17th of November AD 9 in a small village north-east of Rome called Falacrinae. His family held no ancient pedigree or noble lineage to speak of. He was the son of Titus Flavius Sabinus, who worked as a moneylender and tax collector for the Roman state. His mother, Vespasia Polla, belonged to the equestrian order but her father only rose to the rank of prefect of the camp. Her brother did become a Senator, yet this connection offered little immediate advantage to young Vespasian.
He grew up in the countryside near what is now Ansedonia, Italy, under the watchful eye of his paternal grandmother. Even after he became emperor, he returned often to these childhood places. He left the former villa exactly as it had been when he first knew it. Early life overshadowed him with his older brother, Titus Flavius Sabinus, who entered public life early. The elder brother pursued the cursus honorum and held an important military command in the Danube region.
Vespasian's own start seemed destined for mediocrity until fate intervened. He served in the military in Thracia for about three years before returning to Rome around 30 AD. There he obtained a post in the vigintivirate, likely one of the minor magistracies responsible for street cleaning. His performance there proved so unsuccessful that Emperor Caligula reportedly stuffed handfuls of muck down his toga to correct the uncleaned streets.
Upon the accession of Claudius as emperor in 41, Vespasian was appointed legate of Legio II Augusta. This legion was stationed in Germania thanks to the influence of the Imperial freedman Narcissus. In 43, Vespasian and the II Augusta participated in the Roman invasion of Britain. He distinguished himself under the overall command of Aulus Plautius during crucial early battles on the rivers Medway and Thames.
He was sent to reduce the south west, penetrating through regions later known as Hampshire, Wiltshire, Dorset, Somerset, Devon and Cornwall. His probable objectives included securing the south coast ports and harbors along with the tin mines of Cornwall and the silver and lead mines of Somerset. Vespasian marched from Noviomagus Reginorum to subdue the hostile Durotriges and Dumnonii tribes.
He captured twenty oppida including Hod Hill and Maiden Castle in Dorset. He also invaded Vectis now the Isle of Wight before setting up a fortress at Isca Dumnoniorum in Exeter. During this time he injured himself and had not fully recovered until he went to Egypt. These successes earned him triumphal regalia upon his return to Rome.
In 66 AD, Vespasian was appointed to suppress the Jewish revolt underway in Judea. The fighting there had killed the previous governor and routed Cestius Gallus when he tried to restore order. Two legions with eight cavalry squadrons and ten auxiliary cohorts were dispatched under his command while his elder son Titus arrived from Alexandria with another force.
During this time he became the patron of Flavius Josephus, a Jewish resistance leader captured at the Siege of Yodfat. Josephus would later write his people's history in Greek. Ultimately thousands of Jews were killed and the Romans destroyed many towns to re-establish control over Judea. They took Jerusalem in 70.
Vespasian is remembered by Josephus as a fair and humane official compared to Herod Agrippa II. While under imperial patronage, Josephus wrote that after Legio X Fretensis destroyed Jericho on the 21st of June 68, Vespasian tested the Dead Sea's buoyancy. He threw captives who could not swim into the water where they bobbed up to the surface. At the conclusion of the war, Josephus interpreted a prophecy about becoming governor of the habitable earth as referring to Vespasian.
After Nero died by suicide in June 68, Rome plunged into civil war known as the Year of the Four Emperors. Galba was murdered by supporters of Otho who was defeated by Vitellius. Otho's supporters settled on Vespasian as their candidate for emperor. According to Suetonius, a prophecy ubiquitous in the Eastern provinces claimed rulers of the world would come from Judaea.
Although Vespasian and Titus resolved to challenge for the Principate in February 69, they made no move until later in the year. Throughout early months he convened frequently with Eastern generals including Gaius Licinius Mucianus. Governor of Syria and commander of three legions, Mucianus held political connections to powerful Roman military commanders from Illyricum to Britannia. In May 69, Mucianus formally implored Vespasian to challenge Vitellius.
His appeal followed by Vespasian's official proclamation as Emperor in early July. Under instructions from prefect Tiberius Alexander, legions at Alexandria took an oath of loyalty on the 1st of July. They were swiftly followed by Judaean legions on the 3rd of July and thereafter Syrian legions on the 15th of July. On the 20th of December 69, Vitellius was defeated and the following day Vespasian was declared emperor by the Senate.
Vespasian reformed the financial system after the campaign against Judaea ended successfully. He renewed old taxes and instituted new ones while increasing tribute from provinces. Before him Nero introduced a urine tax under the name vectigal urinae which was removed after a while. It was Vespasian's new imposition around AD 70 that we still remember today.
Writing about Vespasian in their history books, Dio Cassius and Suetonius mentioned how Titus blamed him for laying a tax upon urine. He applied to his nose a piece of money received in the first instalment and asked if it stunk. Replying no, he said money derived from urine did not smell. Since then this phrase has been used to whitewash dubious or illegal origin of money.
Turmoil through the Empire erupted in early 70 when protests appeared in Alexandria over new tax policies. Grain shipments were held up until Vespasian restored order. In addition to Egypt, unrest continued elsewhere including Gaul and Germany where Gaius Julius Civilis led the second Batavian Rebellion. This rebellion defeated two Roman legions before being suppressed by Quintus Petillius Cerialis by end of 70.
Between 71 and 79 much of Vespasian's reign remains mysterious though historians report he ordered construction of several buildings in Rome. He helped rebuild Rome after civil war adding temple of Peace and temple to Deified Claudius. In 75 he erected a colossal statue of Apollo begun under Nero and dedicated a stage of theatre of Marcellus.
He began construction of Colosseum using funds from spoils of Jewish Temple after Siege of Jerusalem. Suetonius claims Vespasian was met with constant conspiracies against him though only one is known specifically. In 78 or 79 Eprius Marcellus and Aulus Caecina Alienus attempted to kill Vespasian. Why these men turned against him remains unknown.
Agricola was appointed command of Legio XX Valeria Victrix stationed in Britain replacing Marcus Roscius Coelius who had stirred mutiny. Agricola reimposed discipline on legion and helped consolidate Roman rule. In 71 Bolanus replaced by aggressive governor Quintus Petillius Cerialis allowing Agricola to display talents campaigning against Brigantes in northern England.
We know from Suetonius that unexpected new emperor lacked certain authority and majesty. Many modern historians note increased propaganda appearing during Vespasian's reign. Component included theology of victory legitimizing right to rule through successful conquest revolving around his Judean victory. Stories of supernatural emperor destined to rule circulated empire wide.
Nearly one-third all coins minted Rome under Vespasian celebrated military victory or peace. Word vindex removed from coins so not remind public rebellious Vindex. Construction projects bore inscriptions praising Vespasian condemning previous emperors. Aqueduct and roads dedication spoke of neglect by prior rulers while temple of Peace constructed forum as well.
Vespasian approved histories written under reign ensuring biases removed. He gave financial rewards to writers including Stoic philosophers accused corrupting students expelled from Rome. Helvidius Priscus executed for teachings while numerous other works seized destroyed denounced deemed too critical. According to Suetonion version events, Vespasian bore frank language friends quips pleaders impudence philosophers greatest patience though only Helvidius Priscus put death after repeatedly affronting Emperor with studied insults initially tried ignore.
Continue Browsing
Common questions
When and where was Vespasian born?
Titus Flavius Vespasianus entered the world on the 17th of November AD 9 in a small village north-east of Rome called Falacrinae. His family held no ancient pedigree or noble lineage to speak of.
What military campaigns did Vespasian lead during his early career?
Vespasian participated in the Roman invasion of Britain starting in 43 under the command of Aulus Plautius. He distinguished himself in battles on the rivers Medway and Thames before capturing twenty oppida including Hod Hill and Maiden Castle in Dorset.
How did Vespasian become emperor after Nero died by suicide in June 68?
Otho's supporters settled on Vespasian as their candidate for emperor following the civil war known as the Year of the Four Emperors. Legions at Alexandria took an oath of loyalty on the 1st of July followed by Judaean legions on the 3rd of July and Syrian legions on the 15th of July before Vitellius was defeated on the 20th of December 69.
Why is Vespasian famous for a tax on urine collected around AD 70?
Vespasian instituted new taxes including one named vectigal urinae which we still remember today. Suetonius claims he applied money received from this tax to his nose and asked if it stunk while replying that money derived from urine did not smell.
What major construction projects did Vespasian order between 71 and 79?
He began construction of the Colosseum using funds from spoils of the Jewish Temple after the Siege of Jerusalem. He also helped rebuild Rome by adding the temple of Peace and the temple to Deified Claudius while erecting a colossal statue of Apollo in 75.
All sources
19 references cited across the entry
- 1bookThe Mammoth Book of Roman WhodunnitsCarroll & Graf Publishers — 2003
- 2journalOn Suetonius' Life of Vespasian 12Kenneth Scott — 1932
- 7bookIslamic Egypt 640–1517Robert K. Ritner — Cambridge University Press — 1998
- 9webFeeling Overtaxed? The Romans Would Tax Your Urine14 April 2016
- 13webItalianNotebook – Vespasian's Legacy27 January 2014
- 14webThe Romans created a tax on urineHeritageDaily — 4 May 2016
- 15journalEine Bauinschrift Aus Dem ColosseumGéza Alföldy — 1995
- 17bookBathing in public in the Roman worldGarrett G. Fagan — University of Michigan Press — 31 May 2002
- 19webPlus de 3 M$ pour une douzaine de " vespasiennes " modernesZone Politique - ICI.Radio-Canada.ca — 11 April 2017