For others with the given name or surname, see Vespasian (name).
Vespasian
Roman emperor
Reign
1 July 69 – 23 June 79
Predecessor
Vitellius
Successor
Titus
Born
Titus Flavius Vespasianus 17 November 9 AD[1] Falacrinum, Italy
Died
23 June 79 (aged 69)[4] Aquae Cutiliae
Burial
Rome
Spouses
Domitilla the Elder (died before 69)
Caenis (mistress and later concubine after his wife's death c. 65–74)
Issue Detail
Titus
Domitilla the Younger
Domitian
Names
Titus Flavius Vespasianus
Regnal name
Imperator Caesar Vespasianus Augustus[5]
Dynasty
Flavian
Father
Titus Flavius Sabinus
Mother
Vespasia Polla
Vespasian (/vɛˈspeɪʒ(i)ən,-ziən/; Latin: Vespasianus[wɛspasiˈaːnʊs]; 17 November AD 9 – 23 June 79) was Roman emperor from 69 to 79. The last emperor to reign in the Year of the Four Emperors, he founded the Flavian dynasty, which ruled the Empire for 27 years. His fiscal reforms and consolidation of the empire brought political stability and a vast building program.
Vespasian was the first emperor from an equestrian family and only rose later in his lifetime into the senatorial rank, the first of his family to do so. Vespasian's renown came from his military success;[6] he was legate of Legio II Augusta during the Roman invasion of Britain in 43 and subjugated Judaea during the Jewish rebellion of 66.[7]
While Vespasian besieged Jerusalem during the Jewish rebellion, emperor Nero committed suicide and plunged Rome into a year of civil war known as the Year of the Four Emperors. After Galba and Otho perished in quick succession, Vitellius became emperor in April 69. The Roman legions of Roman Egypt and Judaea reacted by declaring Vespasian, their commander, the emperor on 1 July 69.[8]
In his bid for imperial power, Vespasian joined forces with Mucianus, the governor of Syria, and Primus, a general in Pannonia, leaving his son Titus to command the besieging forces at Jerusalem. Primus and Mucianus led the Flavian forces against Vitellius, while Vespasian took control of Egypt. On 20 December 69, Vitellius was defeated, and the following day Vespasian was declared emperor by the Senate.[9]
Little information survives about the government during Vespasian's ten-year rule. He reformed the financial system of the Roman Empire after the campaign against Judaea ended successfully, and initiated several ambitious construction projects, including the building of the Flavian Amphitheatre, better known today as the Roman Colosseum. Through his general Agricola, Vespasian increased imperial expansion in Britain. Vespasian is often credited with restoring political stability to Rome following the chaotic reigns of his predecessors. After he died in 79, he was succeeded by his eldest son Titus, thus becoming the first Roman emperor to be succeeded by his natural son and establishing the Flavian dynasty.
^Suetonius, Vesp., 2. "Vespasian was born [...] on the evening of the fifteenth day before the Kalends of December, in the consulate of Quintus Sulpicius Camerinus and Gaius Poppaeus Sabinus, five years before the death of Augustus."
^Suetonius, Titus 11: "[He died] two years two months and twenty days after succeeding Vespasian".
^Cassius Dio LXVI.18: "For he lived after this only two years, two months and twenty days".
^Suetonius gives 23 June (VIIII. Kal. Iul.). However, he also states that he died "at the age of sixty-nine years, seven months and seven day", i.e. he died on 24 June, although it's possible that he's using inclusive counting. Cassius Dio (66.17) states that he "reigned ten years lacking six days", i.e. he died on 25/24 June. Both authors date Titus' ascension on 24 June.[2][3]
^Cooley, p. 490.
^The Mammoth Book of Roman Whodunnits. Edited and had non-fictional passages written by Michael Ashley, Introduction by Steven Saylor. New York: Carroll & Graf Publishers. 2003. p. 198. ISBN 0-7867-1241-4. OCLC 53474742.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
^Levick, pp. 16–38.
^Scott, Kenneth (1932). "On Suetonius' Life of Vespasian 12". Classical Philology. 27 (1): 83. doi:10.1086/361434. ISSN 0009-837X. JSTOR 265251. S2CID 161746778. Archived from the original on 22 May 2021. Retrieved 21 May 2021. His tribunician power was reckoned from July 1, 69, the day when he was proclaimed emperor by the army
Vespasian (/vɛˈspeɪʒ(i)ən, -ziən/; Latin: Vespasianus [wɛspasiˈaːnʊs]; 17 November AD 9 – 23 June 79) was Roman emperor from 69 to 79. The last emperor...
ruled the Roman Empire between AD 69 and 96, encompassing the reigns of Vespasian (69–79), and his two sons Titus (79–81) and Domitian (81–96). The Flavians...
amphitheatre in the world, despite its age. Construction began under the emperor Vespasian (r. 69–79 AD) in 72 and was completed in AD 80 under his successor and...
79 to 81. A member of the Flavian dynasty, Titus succeeded his father Vespasian upon his death, becoming the first Roman emperor to succeed his biological...
which four emperors ruled in succession: Galba, Otho, Vitellius, and Vespasian. It is considered an important interval, marking the transition from the...
reference to Vespasian becoming Roman emperor. In response, Vespasian decided to keep him as a slave and presumably interpreter. After Vespasian became emperor...
army commander of the early Roman Empire, and a friend of the emperor Vespasian. He wrote the encyclopedic Naturalis Historia (Natural History), which...
October 51 – 18 September 96) was Roman emperor from 81 to 96. The son of Vespasian and the younger brother of Titus, his two predecessors on the throne,...
to Vespasian without the adjective divus ("divine", attesting to his posthumous promotion to a god) -- which would point to a date before Vespasian's death...
The Stele of Vespasian (Georgian: ვესპასიანეს სტელა) is a stele celebrating Roman emperor Vespasian. It was written in Ancient Greek and found in 1867...
The Vespasian Psalter (London, British Library, Cotton Vespasian A I) is an Anglo-Saxon illuminated psalter decorated in a partly Insular style produced...
The Temple of Vespasian and Titus (Latin: Templum divi Vespasiani, Italian: Tempio di Vespasiano) is located in Rome at the western end of the Roman Forum...
SS Vespasian was a steel-hulled cargo steamship that was built in Sunderland in 1887 as Eastern Prince, renamed Vespasian in 1908 and scrapped in Newcastle...
could negotiate with Vespasian (who, at this time, was still just a military commander). Yochanan correctly predicted that Vespasian would become Emperor...
Faustina, Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, Nero, Galba, Otho, Vitellius, Vespasian, Titus, and Domitian. (Domitian had only one shelf, perhaps because it...
Vespasian. He was not allowed to do so by his supporters, resulting in a brutal battle for Rome between Vitellius' forces and the armies of Vespasian...
45 – c. 66) was the only daughter of the Roman Emperor Vespasian. She was the child of Vespasian and his wife Domitilla the Elder. She was born after her...
Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, Nero, Galba, Otho, Vitellius, Vespasian, Titus, Domitian (d. 96 AD). The work, written in AD 121 during the reign...
Vespasian Warner (April 23, 1842 – March 31, 1925) was a U.S. Representative from Illinois. Born in Mount Pleasant (now Farmer City), De Witt County,...
works during Vespasian's reign. Vespasian was Josephus' sponsor and Pliny dedicated his Naturalis Historia to Titus, son of Vespasian. Vespasian sent legions...
considered to have played a role behind the scenes in the elevation of Vespasian to the throne. His name shows that he had passed by adoption from the...
the Flavians, he attained consulships in 71 and 90 during the reigns of Vespasian and Domitian, respectively. On 19 September 96, Domitian was assassinated...
of the Four Emperors: After Nero's death, Galba, Otho, Vitellius and Vespasian succeed each other as emperor during the year. The year is marked by numerous...
Flavia Domitilla Major was the wife of the Roman Emperor Vespasian and mother of the emperors Titus and Domitian. She died before her husband became emperor...
Imperial fora Forum of Augustus Forum of Caesar Forum of Nerva Forum of Vespasian Trajan's Forum Forum Boarium Forum Holitorium Civic Basilica Argentaria...