Vespasian

He married Flavia Domitilla, the daughter of Flavius Liberalis from Ferentium. The couple had three children; two sons, Titus Flavius Vespasianus and Titus Flavius Domitianus, and a daughter named Domitilla. His wife and daughter died before Vespasian became Emperor in 69 AD.

Upon the demise of his wife, Vespasian became romantically involved with an earlier mistress, Antonia Caenis. She became his wife in all but formal status and they remained together until her death in 75 AD.

Vespasian died on June 23, 79 AD, at the age of 69. He was succeeded by his elder son, Titus.

Vespasian, whose full name was Titus Flavius Caesar Vespasianus Augustus, was born on November 17, 9 AD, in Falacrina, Italy, to Titus Flavius Sabinus, a tax collector, and his wife, Vespasia Polla.

He was the youngest member of the family with an elder brother, Titus Flavius Sabinus. Most of Vespasian’s early life was overshadowed by Sabinus who served in the army and was also the prefect of Rome for many years under Nero.

Although Vespasian initially hesitated to work for high public office, eventually, he decided to follow in his brother’s footsteps. He served in the military in Thrace for about three years and went on to achieve the praetorship in 39 AD.

In 41 AD, when Claudius ascended the throne, Vespasian was appointed legate of Legio II Augusta.

In 43 AD, Vespasian participated in the Roman invasion of Britain in 43 AD. He displayed great valour and distinguished himself with his bravery and military acumen. His military successes, earned him lots of honors and he was appointed consul of Britain.

After Claudius’s death in 54 AD, Vespasian was not in the good books of his wife, Agrippina and hence retired from public life for a while.

In 63 AD, Vespasian was appointed the proconsul in Africa. His stint in Africa was not very popular one and his extreme financial rigour earned him the wrath of the people.

In 67 AD, Nero appointed him to command the troops against the Jewish rebellion in Judaea. The following year, Vespasian conducted a couple of successful campaigns, conquering almost all parts of Judaea except Jerusalem.

He worked towards restoring a war-torn Rome to its former glory by raising taxes and reclaiming public land in order to collect money. He used some of it on ambitious construction projects which included temples and early work on what is known today as the ‘Roman Colosseum’. Vespasian legitimized himself along with his dynasty by offering Rome a stable and peaceful future.