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Vespasian was born in the Roman town of Reate
(Rieti), about forty miles (sixty-five kilometers)
north-west of Rome in the Sabine Hills. Vespasian
distinguished himself in military campaigns in
Britain and later became a trusted aide of the
emperor Nero. Together with one of his sons, Titus,
Vespasian conquered Judaea in 75 C.E. and
celebrated with a magnificent triumphal procession
through Rome. Part of the event, in particular the
displaying of the seven-branched candlestick or
"Menorah" from the Temple at Jerusalem, is shown
on the Arch of Titus, in Rome (above). The proceeds
from the conquest of Judaea provided funds for the
building of the Colosseum and other famous
buildings in Rome.
Four years later, in 67 AD, Nero appointed
Vespasian to put down the Jewish rebellion in
Judaea. His success here, where others had
failed, meant that, by 68 AD, Vespasian was
one of Rome’s most successful generals. His
humble origins had led Nero to believe that he
was no threat. While Nero was alive, this was
true.
But then Nero died. After the murder of
Galba, civil war was inevitable. What’s more,
Vespasian had as good a claim to the throne
as his two main rivals, Otho and Vitellius.
In July 69 AD, Vespasian was proclaimed
emperor by his troops, as well as legions in
Egypt and Syria. He marched on Rome. Once
in Italy, they found themselves facing
Vitellius’ army: for the first time in 100 years,
their enemy was Roman.
By morning, Vespasian’s army had won the battle. They
ransacked a nearby town and marched on, reaching Rome
in December. The city became a battleground, with its
citizens caught in the crossfire.
Around 50,000 people were killed before the battle was
over. Vespasian had won and, with no one left to fight, he
was proclaimed emperor by the Senate.
Vespasian was honest about the source of his power –
military strength. Using his new position to grant himself
more powers, Vespasian immediately began talking up his
humble origins and publishing the divine omens he
claimed had predicted his spectacular rise. Finally, he
wasted no time establishing his dynasty, insisting that his
two sons – Titus and Domitian– would succeed him.
Next on the agenda was the need to restore war-torn Rome
to something approaching its former glory. One of the first
jobs was to raise money: Nero’s extravagance and the civil
war had almost ruined Rome.
By raising taxes and reclaiming public land, Vespasian was
able to fill the city’s vaults with cold, hard, cash. He used
some of this money on a massive building program, which
included temples, a theater and early work on what would
become the Colosseum.
He then turned his attention to the army. In a wholesale
reorganization, he restored discipline, removed officers loyal
to Vitellius and ended the war in Judaea. In Britain, he
conquered Wales and northern England.
•Vespasian is known for so many achievements like...
worked for Nero (an emperor of Rome before Vespasian)
• elected proconsul of Africa in 63 A.D.
• troops elected him emperor even before senators did
• most known for is the Isle of Wight
• granted stability for the future of Rome
•conquered Vitellius's army
•Vespasian also stopped the war in Judea
• built temples, theaters, and early work on the
Colloseum.
Head from a marble statue of Vespasian, 7080 C.E., marble, 45 cm high, from Carthage,
northern Africa © Trustees of the British
Museum
In ancient Rome, official portraits were an
extremely important way for emperors to reach
out to their subjects, and their public image
was defined by them. As hundreds of surviving
imperial statues show, there were only three
ways in which the emperor could officially be
represented: in the battle dress of a general; in
a toga, the Roman state civilian costume; or
nude, likened to a god. These styles powerfully
and effectively evoked the emperor’s role as
commander-in-chief, magistrate or priest, and
finally as the ultimate embodiment of divine
providence.