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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.