Vespasien

Vespasien (Latin: IMPERATOR•CAESAR•VESPASIANVS•AVGVSTVS) (November 17th 9 - June 23rd 79) is a Roman Emperor.

A “middle-class emperor”

Contrary to Julio-Claudiens patricians, Vespasien was an emperor of plebeian origin, resulting from a family of municipal Notables originating in Sabines. His/her grandfather was centurion with the Bataille of Pharsale for the account of Pompée then appraiser with Réate. His/her father was initially Publicain in the province of Asia then banking in Hélvétie. He entered the equestrian Ordre by his marriage with Vespasiana Polla. Whereas Titus Flavius Sabinus, his/her brother, made a brilliant senatorial career, Vespasien crossed a course more modeste : praetor under Caligula, consul in 51, proconsul d' Asie in 61. Finally, it accepted into 67 the legation of Judaea to subdue the Jewish revolt which had begun into 66. Following the advent of Vitellius in 69, it goes to Alexandria after being proclaimed emperor by the legions of the East under the impulse of Tiberius Julius Alexander (Préfet of Egypt) and of Mucien (legate of Syria). To Rome, his/her brother Flavius Sabinus (prefect of the city) leads the plot. Vespasien also charges Antonius Primus (ordering legions of the Danube) military preparations vis-a-vis the powerful armies with the Rhine remained faithful to the emperor Vitellius. The sympathizers of Vitellius finally are demolished in December 69 what puts an end to the civil war Année of the four emperors .

The re-establishment of the order and peace

Mucian, his principal representative in Rome, for the time being harnesses himself to restore the order in Occident during his absence. He returns the troops of Primus in province and rebuilt Capitole which had been burnt during the civil war. As a Gaulle, it sends eight MATER legions the revolt of the Civilis Batavian which had proclaimed a “Empire of Gaules” during the disorders. Vespasien and its son Titus, always in the East in 70, give the responsability themselves to impose Roman peace on it. This last fine met with the seat of Jerusalem in September 70 and its father sends an embassy to the Parthian Empire to guarantee the status quo territorial on the Armenian border.

The reorganization of the Empire

In 70, the civil war of 68 - 69 left the Empire in sorry state. In addition, the new emperor is disputed for his origins. The lex of imperio Vispasiani legalizes its place with the report heading by conferring the capacities as well as imperial titulature to him. To sit his capacity, the emperor will take as a starting point the model augustéen by taking again the broad topics of his reign like by monopolizing the higher magistratures (eight times consul and critic in 73-74). He as will attempt to affirm the hereditary feature of the imperial mode by proclaiming as only its sons would succeed to him. This initiative was worth to him even to be marked to aspire to the “royalty” (Priscus).

On the scale of the Empire, it follows a policy between continuity and innovation. Just like its predecessors, it multiplies public constructions, in particular the amphitheater flavien which it undertakes into 75. However it makes leave for the first time teaching the framework deprived by creating a pulpit Latin rhetoric and another Greek in Rome. In addition, he resorts to true innovations in the financial field while going until creating a tax on the collection of urine (which was the only agent fixing for the dyeings at the time). The proverbe thus is allotted to him;: pecunia not olet (Money has no smell).

It is as under the reign of Vespasien as the borders of the Empire are stabilized and strengthen themselves with the construction of a defensive system supervising the cruel tribes in addition to rhéno-Danubian (Germains, Daces, Sarmates, Chattes). Two new legions (IV Flavia Felix and XVI Flavia Firma) were created for a total of 29 legions including 27 at the borders.

Vespasien died on June 23rd, 79 with Aqua Cutiliae in the following circumstances:

But, seized suddenly of a diarrhea which exhausted it: " It is necessary, says it, that an emperor dies debout" and, while it made an effort to rise, it expired between the arms of those which assisted it. | Suétone, Life of the twelve Césars , Vespasien, XXIV.

Its sons Titus then Domitien succeeded to him.

The first public toilets of Paris were named “Vespasienne S” because it had had the idea to establish a tax on the collection of urine.

Names and titles

Successive names

9, is born TITVS•FLAVIVS•VESPASIANVS
July 69, acclaimed by its troops: IMPERATOR•TITVS•FLAVIVS•VESPASIANVS•AVGVSTVS
August 69, changes its name into: IMPERATOR•CAESAR•VESPASIANVS•AVGVSTVS

Titles and magistratures

Consul in 51 and 70, 71, 72, 74, 75, 76, 77, 79
Lord's Prayer patriae in 70

Pontifex maximus in 70

Critic in 73 - 74

Acclaimed Imperator in 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 76, 77, 78

Holds the power tribunician starting from 69, renewed annually on July 1st (day of its acclamation, and Dies imperii)

Titulature with its death

With its death in 79 the titulature of Vespasien was the following one:

IMPERATOR•CAESAR•VESPASIANVS•AVGVSTVS, PONTIFEX•MAXIMVS, TRIBVNICIAE•POTESTATIS•X, IMPERATOR•XX, CONSVL•IX, LORD'S PRAYER•PATRIAE

Note : Vespasien was divinized after its death by the Sénat

See too

Leon Homo, Vespasien the emperor of the good sense , Paris, Albin Michel, 1949.
Barbara Levick, Vespasien , Infolio, 2002.

External bonds

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