IX. Vespasian (Flavian Dynasty I)
Emperor: 69 AD to 79 AD
Born: November 17th 9 AD Died: June 23rd 79 AD
Vespasian was Roman Emperor from 69 to 79 AD and the founder of the Flavian dynasty that ruled for the next 27 years. Vespasian was from a noble family that became powerful under the Julio–Claudian emperors. When young, he married Flavia Domitilla, and they had two sons, Titus and Domitian, and a daughter, Domitilla. His wife and daughter both died before Vespasian became Emperor, but both of his sons would become emperor after him.
His success as the legate of a legion in the conquest of Britain earned him a consulship in 51, after which he retired from public life, having incurred the enmity of Claudius' wife, Agrippina. He came out of retirement in 63 when he was sent as governor to Africa Province. During this governorship, he led the Roman forces in the Jewish Rebellion of 66. While Vespasian besieged Jerusalem, Emperor Nero committed suicide and plunged Rome into a civil war known as the Year of the Four Emperors. After Galba and Otho died in quick succession, Vitellius became the third emperor in April 69. The Roman legions of Egypt and Judaea declared their commander, Vespasian, emperor on July 1st 69. Vespasian left his son Titus to command the besieging forces at Jerusalem, while he went to win the empire. While Vespasian was in Egypt securing its grain supply, his troops entered Italy. They defeated Vitellius's army at Bedriacum, sacked Cremona, and advanced on Rome. They entered Rome after furious fighting, in which the Capitol was destroyed by fire and Vespasian's brother Sabinus was killed by a mob. On December 20th 69, Vitellius was defeated, and the following day Vespasian was declared Emperor by the Roman Senate.
Titus finally subdued the rebellion with the capture of Jerusalem and destruction of the Jewish Temple in 70. Vespasian then ordered all descendants of the royal line of David to be hunted down, causing the Jews to be persecuted in all provinces. In mid-70, Vespasian finally came to Rome, where he immediately embarked on a series of efforts to stay in power and prevent future revolts. He offered gifts to the military. Soldiers loyal to Vitellius were dismissed or punished.
Vespasian reformed the financial system after the campaign against Judaea ended successfully, and initiated several ambitious construction projects. He built the Flavian Amphitheatre, better known today as the Roman Colosseum. In modern Romance languages, urinals are still named after him (for example, vespasiano in Italian and vespasien in French) in reference to a tax he placed on urine collection.
In his ninth year, Vespasian had a slight illness and returned at once to Rome, however, his illness worsened and he developed severe diarrhea. On June 23rd 79, Vespasian was on his deathbed and expiring rapidly, he demanded that he be helped to stand as he believed "An emperor should die on his feet." He died shortly thereafter of a fever. After his death, he was succeeded by his eldest son Titus, thus becoming the first Roman Emperor to be directly succeeded by his own son and establishing the Flavian dynasty.