Vespasian - The General Who Became Emperor Documentary
The People Profiles・43 minutes read
Emperor Vespasian's rise to power, marked by military conquests and political maneuvering, culminated in his successful reign that brought stability to the Roman Empire but faced criticism for harsh policies during the Jewish Revolt, ultimately establishing the Flavian Dynasty that lasted nearly three decades before transitioning to the rule of his sons Titus and Domitian, ushering in a new era of Roman leadership under the Five Good Emperors.
Insights
- Vespasian's rise to power was influenced by the weaknesses of Caesar Augustus's successors, leading to a new dynasty with a focus on military success and political acumen.
- Vespasian's rule as emperor was marked by stability, conservative governance, and a significant impact on Roman society through expansive building projects, military conquests, and fiscal policies like the controversial "urine tax."
- Vespasian's legacy is complex, depicted as a stable and charitable ruler by some Roman historians, yet criticized for punitive actions during the Jewish Revolt, showcasing the multifaceted nature of his reign and its lasting impact on the Roman Empire.
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Recent questions
Who was Emperor Vespasian?
Emperor Vespasian was a Roman ruler.
What were Vespasian's major accomplishments?
Vespasian expanded Roman rule and built the Colosseum.
How did Vespasian's reign end?
Vespasian died from an intestinal disorder.
What was Vespasian's impact on Roman society?
Vespasian brought stability and prosperity to Rome.
How was Vespasian perceived by historians?
Historians depict Vespasian as a stable ruler.
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Summary
00:00
Emperor Vespasian: Rise to Roman Power
- Emperor Vespasian, born as Titus Flavius Vespasianus in Falacrine in 9 AD, came from a family with a mixed history of prominence and demotion in Roman society.
- His father, Titus Flavius Sabinus, was a tax collector and moneylender, while his mother, Vespasia Polla, came from a more distinguished equestrian family.
- Vespasian received his education in Cosa, focusing on Roman subjects like rhetoric, grammar, philosophy, and literature.
- Growing up during Rome's transition from a republic to an empire, Vespasian entered the military to pursue a political career.
- Vespasian's rise to power was influenced by the weaknesses of Caesar Augustus's successors, leading to a new dynasty.
- He gradually climbed the ranks in the Roman military, serving in Thrace, Crete, and Cyrenaica before obtaining political offices like aedile and praetor.
- Vespasian married Flavia Domitilla and had three children, Titus, Domitilla, and a second son.
- He was involved in Claudius's invasion of Britain in 43 AD, leading the Legio II Augusta in battles against Celtic tribes.
- Vespasian played a crucial role in securing control of Cornwall, Somerset, and the Isle of Wight during the conquest of Britain.
- Vespasian's successful military campaigns in Britain led to his election as consul in 51 AD, marking his ascent to the highest political office in the Roman Empire.
16:43
Vespasian's Rise to Emperor of Rome
- Consuls were powerful figures in Rome before the imperial office was established by Caesar Augustus, with the office being highly valued due to the subsequent appointment as governor of a Roman province.
- Corruption was somewhat accepted in the governorship role, but excessive greed could lead to prosecution in Rome.
- Vespasian faced a setback in his political career due to falling out of favor with Claudius and Agrippina, leading to his retirement from public life in the 50s AD.
- Nero became emperor after Claudius's death, with Agrippina suspected of poisoning Claudius, and Vespasian's political rehabilitation began in 63 AD.
- Vespasian's rule as governor of Africa was unpopular, with him being pelted with turnips, and he resorted to selling mules upon his return to Italy.
- Vespasian's marital situation changed after his first wife's death, with his relationship with Antonia Caenis becoming more prominent.
- Vespasian's involvement in Nero's tour of Greece in 66 AD led to a falling out, but he was later recalled to lead the suppression of the Jewish Revolt in Judaea.
- Judaea faced Roman rule and tensions due to religious differences and oppressive governance by Gessius Florus, leading to a Jewish revolt in 66 AD.
- Vespasian, along with his son Titus, led the Roman forces in the suppression of the Jewish Revolt, successfully pacifying Galilee and preparing for an assault on Jerusalem.
- Nero's downfall and Galba's rise to power in Rome in 68 AD altered Vespasian's plans, leading to a shift in focus from Judaea to Rome, where Vespasian's path to becoming Emperor of Rome began.
31:00
Vespasian's Rise and Rule in Rome
- Vitellius, a general appointed by Galba, marched on Rome after being given command of legions in Germania.
- Marcus Otho became emperor in Rome after Galba's assassination, taking the title Nero.
- Otho gathered an army to confront Vitellius at the Battle of Bedriacum, where Vitellius emerged victorious.
- Vespasian, observing events, decided to enter the civil war and gained support from key figures like Gaius Licinius Mucianus.
- Vespasian was proclaimed emperor by his legions in the east, garnering support from various provinces.
- Vespasian's forces, led by Marcus Antonius Primus, marched towards northern Italy to challenge Vitellius.
- Antonius Primus oversaw the campaign against Vitellius, leading to a siege of Rome and Vitellius's capture and execution.
- Vespasian consolidated his rule by increasing taxation, ensuring loyalty from the legions, and blocking potential rivals.
- Titus, under Vespasian's orders, laid siege to Jerusalem, leading to the destruction of the city and the Second Temple.
- Vespasian's reign imposed punitive policies on the Jewish people, including a ban on rebuilding the temple and a punitive tax, leading to the Jewish diaspora and future revolts.
45:09
Vespasian: Roman Emperor of Stability and Innovation
- Civilis crushed the revolt outnumbering the entire Batavian population, stationing a legion permanently at Noviomagus, now Nijmegen.
- Evaluating Vespasian's rule is complex due to multiple detailed histories by Roman historians like Tacitus and Suetonius.
- Tacitus's Histories and Suetonius's Lives depict Vespasian as a model emperor, albeit with biases due to personal connections and historical context.
- Vespasian is portrayed as a stable but conservative ruler, charitable, and not prone to excessive behavior or unnecessary killings.
- Vespasian engaged in propaganda efforts, including manipulating Roman coinage and promoting divine omens to establish his reign.
- Vespasian supported education and the arts, patronizing scholars like Quintilian and Pliny the Elder.
- Vespasian expanded Roman rule in Britain, appointing Agricola to conquer northern Wales and Scotland.
- Vespasian introduced a controversial "urine tax" in Rome, leading to public bathrooms being named after him in later centuries.
- Vespasian oversaw a significant building program in Rome, including restoring the city after the Great Fire and constructing iconic structures like the Colosseum.
- Vespasian's reign lasted nearly ten years, ending with his death in 79 AD due to an intestinal disorder.
59:13
Flavian Dynasty: Rise and Fall of Rome
- Vespasian, the Roman emperor, died suddenly from severe diarrhea at the age of sixty-nine, being deified after his death and succeeded by his son Titus, who was well-received by the Roman people and died at the age of forty-one, leading to his brother Domitian taking over.
- Domitian, the younger Flavian ruler, reigned for fifteen years, known for his efficiency but autocratic rule, ultimately being assassinated in 96 AD, ending the Flavian Dynasty and leading to the Senate choosing Nerva as the new emperor, marking the beginning of the Five Good Emperors era.
- Vespasian's reign brought stability to the empire, establishing a new dynasty that ruled for nearly three decades, marked by accomplishments like suppressing revolts, expanding Roman presence in Britain, and constructing the Colosseum, although facing criticism for brutal actions during the Jewish Revolt and potential Anti-Semitic policies.
