Vespasian was the first emperor from an equestrian family and only rose later in his lifetime into the senatorial rank as the first member of his family to do so.
41 Facts About Vespasian
2.
Primus and Mucianus led the Flavian forces against Vitellius, while Vespasian took control of Egypt.
3.
Vespasian reformed the financial system of Rome 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.
4.
Vespasian is often credited with restoring political stability to Rome following the chaotic reigns of his predecessors.
5.
Vespasian was the son of Titus Flavius Sabinus, a Roman moneylender, debt collector, and tax collector.
6.
Vespasian was educated in the countryside, in Cosa, near what is today Ansedonia, Italy, under the guidance of his paternal grandmother, so much so that even when he became emperor, he often returned to the places of his childhood, having left the former villa exactly as it had been.
7.
In preparation for a praetorship, Vespasian needed two periods of service in the minor magistracies, one military and the other public.
8.
Vespasian served in the military in Thracia for about three years.
9.
Vespasian failed at his first attempt to gain an aedileship but was successful in his second attempt, becoming an aedile in 38.
10.
Vespasian invaded Vectis, finally setting up a fortress and legionary headquarters at Isca Dumnoniorum.
11.
Vespasian came out of retirement in 63 when he was sent as governor to Africa Province.
12.
On one occasion, Suetonius writes, Vespasian was pelted with turnips.
13.
However, Vespasian used his time in North Africa making friends instead of money, something that would be far more valuable in the years to come.
14.
In 66 AD, Vespasian was appointed to suppress the Jewish revolt underway in Judea.
15.
Vespasian is remembered by Josephus, in his Antiquities of the Jews, as a fair and humane official, in contrast with the notorious Herod Agrippa II whom Josephus goes to great lengths to demonize.
16.
Vespasian eventually believed that this prophecy applied to him, and found a number of omens and oracles that reinforced this belief.
17.
At the hippodrome of Alexandria he was hailed as pharaoh; recalling the welcome of Alexander the Great at the Oracle of Zeus-Ammon of the Siwa Oasis, Vespasian was proclaimed the son of the creator-deity Amun, in the style of the ancient pharaohs, and an incarnation of Serapis in the manner of the Ptolemies.
18.
In early 70 Vespasian was still in Egypt, the source of Rome's grain supply, and had not yet left for Rome.
19.
Vespasian eventually restored order and grain shipments to Rome resumed.
20.
Several modern historians have suggested that Vespasian, already having been told by Josephus that he was prophesied to become emperor whilst in Judaea, was probably reacting to other widely known Messianic prophecies circulating at the time, to suppress any rival claimants arising from that dynasty.
21.
Titus attended the consecration of a new Apis bull at Memphis in 70, and Vespasian's reign saw imperial patronage given to Egyptian temples: at the Dakhla Oasis in the Western Desert as well as Esna, Kom Ombo, Medinet Habu, Silsila in the Nile Valley.
22.
Vespasian immediately embarked on a series of efforts to stay in power and prevent future revolts.
23.
Vespasian offered gifts to many in the military and much of the public.
24.
Vespasian restructured the Senatorial and Equestrian orders, removing his enemies and adding his allies.
25.
Additionally, Vespasian made significant attempts to control public perception of his rule.
26.
Construction projects bore inscriptions praising Vespasian and condemning previous emperors.
27.
Vespasian approved histories written under his reign, ensuring biases against him were removed.
28.
The ancient historians who lived through the period such as Tacitus, Suetonius and Josephus speak suspiciously well of Vespasian while condemning the emperors who came before him.
29.
Tacitus admits that his status was elevated by Vespasian, Josephus identifies Vespasian as a patron and saviour.
30.
Between 71 and 79, much of Vespasian's reign is a mystery.
31.
Historians report that Vespasian ordered the construction of several buildings in Rome.
32.
Vespasian added the temple of Peace and the temple to the Deified Claudius.
33.
Vespasian began construction of the Colosseum, using funds from the spoils of the Jewish Temple after the Siege of Jerusalem.
34.
Suetonius claims that Vespasian was met with "constant conspiracies" against him.
35.
Vespasian was known for his wit and his amiable manner alongside his commanding personality and military prowess.
36.
Vespasian could be liberal to impoverished Senators and equestrians and to cities and towns desolated by natural calamity.
37.
Vespasian was especially generous to men of letters and rhetors, several of whom he pensioned with salaries of as much as 1,000 gold pieces a year.
38.
Only Helvidius Priscus was put to death after he repeatedly affronted the Emperor with studied insults which Vespasian initially tried to ignore.
39.
Vespasian earned a reputation as a scrupulous and honest "tax-farmer".
40.
Vespasian followed in his brother's footsteps when driven to it by his mother's taunting.
41.
Portrait bust of Vespasian wearing the civic crown, Palazzo Massimo, Rome.