Emperor (69–79) Vespasian

1 emperor (69–79)

1.1 aftermath of civil war
1.2 arrival in rome , gathering support
1.3 relationship barbarians
1.4 propaganda campaign
1.5 construction , conspiracies
1.6 roman expansion in britain (78–79)
1.7 death (79)

emperor (69–79)
aftermath of civil war

bust of vespasian, pushkin museum, moscow

vespasian declared emperor senate while in egypt in december of 69 (the egyptians had declared him emperor in june 69). in short-term, administration of empire given mucianus aided vespasian s son, domitian. mucianus started off vespasian s rule tax reform restore empire s finances. after vespasian arrived in rome in mid-70, mucianus continued press vespasian collect many taxes possible.

vespasian , mucianus renewed old taxes , instituted new ones, increased tribute of provinces, , kept watchful eye upon treasury officials. latin proverb pecunia non olet ( money not smell ) may have been created when had introduced urine tax on public toilets.

in 70 vespasian still in egypt, source of rome s grain supply, , had not yet left rome. according tacitus, trip delayed due bad weather. modern historians theorize vespasian had been , continuing consolidate support egyptians before departing. stories of divine vespasian healing people circulated in egypt. during period, protests erupted in alexandria on new tax policies , grain shipments held up. vespasian restored order , grain shipments rome resumed.

in addition uprising in egypt, unrest , civil war continued in rest of empire in 70. in judea, rebellion had continued 66. vespasian s son, titus, subdued rebellion capture of jerusalem , destruction of jewish temple in 70. according eusebius, vespasian ordered descendants of royal line of david hunted down, causing jews persecuted province province. several modern historians have suggested vespasian, having been told josephus prophesied become emperor whilst in judaea, reacting other known messianic prophecies circulating @ time, suppress rival claimants arising dynasty.

in january of same year, uprising occurred in gaul , germany, known second batavian rebellion. rebellion headed gaius julius civilis , julius sabinus. sabinus, claiming descended julius caesar, declared himself emperor of gaul. rebellion defeated , absorbed 2 roman legions before suppressed vespasian s brother-in-law, quintus petillius cerialis, end of 70.

arrival in rome , gathering support

in mid-70, vespasian first came rome. vespasian embarked on series of efforts stay in power , prevent future revolts. offered gifts many in military , of public. soldiers loyal vitellius dismissed or punished. restructured senatorial , equestrian orders, removing enemies , adding allies. regional autonomy of greek provinces repealed. additionally, made significant attempts control public perception of rule.

relationship barbarians

in general vespasian enjoyed friendly relations nearby barbarians, germanic , dacian tribes, many of whom supported him politically in bid emperor.

propaganda campaign

roman aureus depicting vespasian emperor. reverse shows goddess fortuna.

many modern historians note increased amount of propaganda appeared during vespasian s reign. stories of supernatural emperor destined rule circulated in empire. one-third of coins minted in rome under vespasian celebrated military victory or peace. word vindex removed coins not remind public of rebellious vindex. construction projects bore inscriptions praising vespasian , condemning previous emperors. temple of peace constructed in forum well. vespasian approved histories written under reign, ensuring biases against him removed.

vespasian gave financial rewards writers. ancient historians lived through period such tacitus, suetonius, josephus , pliny elder speak suspiciously of vespasian while condemning emperors came before him. tacitus admits status elevated vespasian, josephus identifies vespasian patron , savior, , pliny dedicated natural histories vespasian s son, titus.

those spoke against vespasian punished. number of stoic philosophers accused of corrupting students inappropriate teachings , expelled rome. helvidius priscus, pro-republic philosopher, executed teachings.

construction , conspiracies

relief depicting animal sacrifice, altar of temple of vespasianus in pompeii

between 71 , 79, of vespasian s reign mystery. historians report vespasian ordered construction of several buildings in rome. additionally, survived several conspiracies against him.

vespasian helped rebuild rome after civil war. added temple of peace , temple deified claudius. in 75, erected colossal statue of apollo, begun under nero, , dedicated stage of theater of marcellus. began construction of colosseum, using funds spoils of jewish temple after siege of jerusalem.

suetonius claims vespasian met constant conspiracies against him. 1 conspiracy known specifically, though. in 78 or 79, eprius marcellus , aulus caecina alienus attempted kill vespasian. why these men turned against vespasian not known.

roman expansion in britain (78–79)

bust of vespasian, c. 80 ad, farnese collection, naples national archaeological museum

in 78, agricola sent britain, , both extended , consolidated roman dominion in province, pushing way scotland.

death (79)

in ninth consulship vespasian had slight illness in campania and, returning @ once rome, left aquae cutiliae , country around reate, spent every summer; however, illness worsened , developed severe diarrhea.

feeling death coming on, reportedly called out vae, puto deus fio. ( dear me, think m becoming god ). then, according suetonius twelve caesars:

at last, being taken ill of diarrhea, such degree ready faint, cried out, emperor ought die standing upright. in endeavouring rise, died in hands of helping him up, upon eighth of calends of july [24 june], being sixty-nine years, 1 month, , 7 days old.

he succeeded son titus.