The Flavian Emperors

The Roman Empire

Principal Roman Emperors

Year of the 4 EmperorsAD 68- AD 69

• Four men claimed the throne after Nero’s death– Galba, Otho, Vitellius, Vespasian• All generals• Vespasian defeated the others and became

emperor• Vespasian founded the Flavian Dynasty

Flavian Emperors• Called the “Flavians” after their family name

(Flavius)• Father and two sons:– Vespasian (father)– Titus (older son)– Domitian (younger son)

Vespasian• Ruled 69 AD-79 AD• Lived from 9 AD-79 AD (69 years)• Birth name: Titus Flavius Vespasianus• His father was a tax collector• As emperor, he had many financial

reformsMost famous: tax on urine

• Helped rebuild Rome after Nero’s bad rule

Vespasian• Personal life:

– Married once: Domitilla– Two sons and one daughter– Wife and daughter died before he

became emperor– Antonia Caenis: his “wife in all but

name”• Freedwoman/secretary of Emp.

Claudius’ mother• May have helped Vespasian advance in

his early career• A senator and freedwoman could not

legally marry

Vespasian• Remembered for:– Military campaign in Judea which led to

the destruction of Jerusalem (by Titus)– Restoring the empire financially– Easy-going manner, dry wit– Very lenient toward opposition– Modern Italian word for public

toilets: vespasiano (French: vespasienne)

Vespasian• Died of illness on June 23, AD 79• Asked to be stood up before he died:

“An emperor should die on his feet.”• Last words: “Vae, puto deus

fio!”• “Oh, I think I’m becoming a

god!”

Titus• Lived 39 AD-81 AD• Ruled AD 79-AD 81• Had an excellent military career in Germany

and Britain• Best remembered for destroying

Jerusalem and the Jewish temple during the Jewish Revolt in AD 70

• First emperor to succeed his own father to the throne

Titus• Major events during his reign:– Eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in AD 79– He made 2 trips to the damaged area and

coordinated relief efforts, including donating personal money

– Dedication of Colosseum in AD 80

– Fire and plague in Rome in AD 80

Titus• Personal Life:– Married twice: first wife died, divorced second

wife– Had at least one daughter

who survived to adulthood, perhaps more daughters

– Carried on a very public love affair with Queen Berenice of Judea before becoming emperor

Titus• As emperor, said to be generous and

enjoyed doing at least one “good deed” every day

• Died suddenly of illness on Sept. 13, 81 AD

• Final words: “I have made but one mistake.”

Titus

Titus

Domitian• Lived from AD 51- AD 96• Ruled from AD 81-AD 96• Youngest child of emperor

Vespasian• Held mostly ceremonial

positions during the reigns of his father and brother

Domitian• Remembered for:– Dedicating the Arch of Titus– Strengthening the economy– Expanding the Empire’s border

defenses– Was somewhat ruthless as an

emperor, but highly effective– Liked by the people and the

army; hated by the Senate

Domitian• Personal life: married once• Domitia Longina (c. AD 53-

c. AD 130)• Domitian persuaded her

current husband to divorce her so they could marry in AD 71

• They had one son, who died as a child

Domitian• Assassinated on Sept. 18, AD 96 by

court officials• The Senate decreed him damnatio

memoriae: condemnation of the memory– All references to Domitian were to be

erased from public buildings, etc.– His widow, however, still referred to herself as

“wife of Domitian” 25 years later..love?