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Titus Flavius Vespasianus (9 – 79 AD) was not your prototypical Roman Emperor. Whereas his predecessors were notorious for their profligacy, impatience, and ruthless ambition, Vespasian was known for his frugality, affability, and relative humility. That is not to say that Vespasian lacked the tools for effective leadership. Quite the opposite, Vespasian was a shrewd commander who was admired by his allies and feared by his enemies.
Vespasian first big opportunity came in 43 AD, when he was chosen to lead a Roman legion engaged in Emperor Claudius’ invasion of Britannia. The campaign was a success, thanks to large part to Vespasian’s military strategies and pioneering use of artillery weaponry. These efforts were worthy of triumphal ornaments, and by 51 AD Vespasian had risen to the post of consul.
Following his consulship, Vespasian retired from public life, and his next posting of note did not occur until 63 AD when he was called on to govern the Africa province. Such a post-consul governorship was often an invitation to exploit the locals. However, Vespasian took the opportunity to hone his administrative skills, keeping both exploitation and spending to a minimum. This strategy eventually led to a monetary shortfall, and Vespasian was forced to mortgage his estates to bridge the financial gap.
Three years later, Vespasian was dragged back into the imperial fold. He was recalled to join Emperor Nero's tour of Greece. Apparently, the general's new responsibilities included his attendance at imperial lyre recitals. While Vespasian was renowned for persistence in battle, he fell short as an imperial groupie. Vespasian fell asleep during one of Nero's performances, and was consequently banished from the Emperor's presence.
Lack of musical appreciation aside, Vespasian was a proven commander whose skills were too valuable to waste. This was especially the case as a crisis brewed in Judaea. Not only had the Judaean rebels routed the local garrison, they also managed to defeat the Syrian troops sent in as reinforcements. The shocking news proved an imperial embarrassment, and in 67 AD a desperate Nero called for help. To this end, Vespasian and his son Titus mobilized a massive array of soldiers and state-of-the-art ordnance to quell the Judaean uprising. While it may have been tempting to try and tackle the rebels head-on in Jerusalem, the father-and-son duo instead embarked on a strategic, step-wise path for pacification that would take the next three years to complete.
Meanwhile back in Rome, Nero’s position grew increasingly unstable to the point that the Emperor decided to commit suicide in 68 AD. In the wake of Nero's death, Rome experienced civil war and a series of short-lived Emperors: Galba, who was murdered by supporters of Otho, who was defeated by Vitellius. Although Rome's Senate confirmed Vitellius' ascension in April 69 AD, the Roman legions in Judaea and Egypt begged to differ, declaring Vespasian as Emperor several months later.
Although Vespasian resolved to vie for the throne as early as February 69 AD, he did not immediately set out for Rome. Instead, he set out for Egypt, to solidify support from the eastern generals and ensure war-torn Rome's grain supply. In parallel, Vespasian sent some of his elite troops to Italy, bringing bloody civil war even into the Eternal City herself. In December 69 AD, those troops defeated Vitellius and his supporters, after which Rome's Senate formally declared Vespasian as Emperor.
The following year, Vespasian arrived in Rome, as did the news that Titus had finally broken though Jerusalem’s tenacious third wall and sacked the city, looting the Jewish Temple. Eager to bolster his position, Vespasian ordered that Rome host a grandiose celebration. In the summer of 71 AD, imperial planners worked day and night to organize the citywide event. Finally, the gala day arrived, starring Vespasian and his sons Domitian and Titus, the latter having triumphantly returned from Judaea laden with many spoils of war. Titus' entourage included the former Judaean general Josephus, who now served as imperial interpreter and scribe. Josephus was evidently also a seer, since he had successfully predicted that Vespasian would one day rule the world.
If nothing else, the Flavians kept Josephus around for good fortune, and it is history's fortune that Josephus was thus retained. Josephus' writings include a fascinating account of Rome's mid-71 AD celebration. The festivities began at first light, as the purple-clad and laurel-donning Vespasian silenced a captivated crowd with his solemn opening prayers. Among the highlights were elaborate parades featuring thousands of prisoners, enormous amounts of captured treasures, and stupendous, complex floats that re-enacted tales of bloody battle.
Besides the writings of Josephus, the successful event was prodigiously commemorated on coinage, including this denarius struck two years later and 1500 miles distant (at Antioch). The main attraction is depicted on the verso, where you can almost hear the crowds’ adoration as Vespasian proudly drives by in his quadriga (four horse chariot), exactly as described by Josephus.
The obverse is also worth noting. Vespasian is portrayed here with his typical, toothless smile that often resembles a pained grimace. The depiction is commensurate with his character: coarse owing his humble origins, yet highly shrewd, and hard working. Vespasian harbored a keen sense of humor, even if he was the butt of the joke, and his strange Latin pronunciation made him an easy target. In one example worth noting (apocryphal or not), Vespasian once asked a comic to joke about him, and the comic replied to his grinning/grimacing questioner that he would, once the Augustus finished relieving himself.
With his combination of military strength and likeability, Vespasian increased his grip on power even further. He insisted his sons Titus and Domitian succeed him, thus ensuring the propagation of his Flavian dynasty, at least for a while. He set about restoring civil war-torn Rome to her former glory. Vespasian rebuilt temples and theaters, and started work on a particularly ambitious building project that became the Colosseum. Supporting these initiatives required raising funds, in other words, increasing taxes, although Vespasian exempted teachers and doctors. Vespasian also expanded the tax base by increasing the Empire’s reach into territories such as Britannia. He even went so far as to collect a tax on public urinals.
The last to ascend during the tumultuous Year of the Four Emperors, Vespasian ruled for nearly a decade before his death by illness. Even on his deathbed, Vespasian retained his sense of humor as he delivered his final punchline, "
Oh dear, I fear I am about to become a god!"
Additional Reading: F Josephus, "The Wars Of The Jews," Book VII, Chapter V: 3-7.
Coin Details: ROMAN EMPIRE, Vespasian, AD 69-79, “Judaea Capta” commemorative AR Denarius (17 mm, 3.57g, 6 h), Antioch mint, Struck AD 72-73, NGC Grade: MS*, Strike: 5/5, Surface: 5/5, Obverse: Laureate head right, IMP CAES VESPAS AVG P M COS IIII, Reverse: Vespasian standing in chariot right, driving slow quadriga, holding scepter, branch, and reins, References: RIC II 1559; Hendin 1491 corr. (obv. Legend); RIC [1962] 364; RSC 643; BMC 512.