Titus 79-81 A.D.
Background Information on Titus

Titus was the tenth Roman emperor, in succession to his father Vespasian (both men in fact shared the same name, Titus Flavius Vespasianus). His short reign was notable for the eruption of Vesuvius in AD 79 and the opening of the Colosseum or (more correctly) 'Flavian Amphitheatre' in 80. He was a friend of Pliny the elder, who dedicated his Natural History to him.

Unlike his father and younger brother Domitian, Titus grew up with grand ideas, since he had been brought up in the court of Claudius as a companion of the emperor's son Britannicus. Like his father, however, he enjoyed a successful military career, joining him in the suppression of the Jewish Revolt (66-70). When Nero died (68), Titus was deputed to convey Vespasian's congratulations to the new emperor Galba, but thought better of it, and turned back to help his father prepare his bid for power. When Vespasian left for Rome after being acclaimed emperor in 69, Titus was put in charge of Judaea. In 70 he succeeded in taking Jerusalem; the Temple was destroyed and the population enslaved. Once Titus had arrived back at Rome, Vespasian groomed him for the succession, sharing his powers with him to an unprecedented degree. (Domitian, who was 11 years younger than Titus, was much less favourably treated.) Titus succeeded his father in 79, and continued his policies. He was famous for his kindness, and enjoyed excellent relations with the senate. He ended his relationship with the Jewish princess Berenice, whose influence over him was potentially scandalous, and he refused to accept treason charges. The people, too, loved him for the lavish games he allowed, put on to inaugurate the Colosseum. He responded generously with disaster relief after the eruption of Vesuvius two months into his reign, and after a serious fire and plague at Rome in 80. He died after two years, probably from natural causes, although Domitian, who succeeded him, was naturally suspected of having poisoned him. History has been kind to Titus, perhaps the most popular of all the emperors; but if Nero had died two years into his reign, he too would have enjoyed a similar reputation. Titus has also benefited from the contrast with his brother's reign. Like his father, he was posthumously deified. l He also looks like Robert Key-more so!

ROMAN IMPERIAL DYNASTIES:
Vespasian-Children: Titus, Domitian and Domitilla
Titus-Children: Julia Flavia
Domitian-Children: One son and daughter, both died young

The words above have been edited from various sources and have a few of my own interpretations!

 

The period of my collection

• The Twelve Caesars That's the main men to you and I

The Julio Claudian Dynasty Augustus I Claudius I Nero I Agrippa

The Flavian Dynasty Vespasian I Titus I Domitian

• The Adoptive Emperors or so we're told!
• The Civil War some serious falling out between 193-197 A.D.
• The Severan Period Only five emperors in this family including the nasty Caracalla
• The Collapse of Order almost 50 years of trouble up ahead
• The Secessionist Empire it was that Postumus who set things going
• The British Secessionist Empire Carausius goes it alone
• The Tetrarchy time for the great reform
• The Constantinian Dynasty a military dictatorship and the tale of three sons
• The Waning of the Empire the last century and the end of an era
• The Western Puppet Emperors oh dear! more trouble
• The Eastern Emperors slightly more peace

I might include othe pages as I progress. Plus if you would like to share a reciprical link, please email me at info@dadscoins.co.uk

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
He was a competent general, commanding the second legion in the invasion of Britain in 43 and conquering the south-west and the Isle of Wight. He later rose in the senate to become consul in 51 and governor of Africa a decade later. He joined Nero in Greece in 66, incurring the emperor's displeasure by falling asleep during one of his recitals. This did not prevent him, however, from being put in charge of the suppression of the Jewish Revolt (66-70); by 68 most of Judaea was recovered, although Jerusalem remained to be taken. During the rapid turnover of emperors (Galba, Otho, Vitellius) following the death of Nero in 68, Vespasian quietly prepared his own bid for power. The legions of Egypt, Judaea, Syria and then the Danube all declared for him, and he sent his commander Primus ahead to secure Italy on his behalf. A major, and bloody, victory was achieved at Cremona, and Primus took Rome on 21 December 69; Vitellius had been brutally killed the day before. The senate passed a law conferring the powers of emperor on Vespasian. It is disputed whether such a law was normal, or whether it was passed now for the first time; the text still exists. Vespasian finally arrived in Rome in the late summer of 70, having left his elder son Titus in charge in Judaea; Jerusalem was taken in August 70 and its population enslaved. Vespasian's major objectives during his ten-year reign were to restore Rome's finances after Nero's reign (Rome had suffered a major fire in 64, and had been damaged in the struggle against Vitellius); to restore discipline in the army after the civil wars; and to ensure that Titus should succeed him. In all three he was successful. The immunity from taxation that Nero had given to the Greeks was revoked, and the Colosseum (or 'Flavian Amphitheatre', to be more correct) was begun on the site of the lake of Nero's 'Golden House' - thus giving this part of Rome back to the people. In Britain, Roman forces conquered northern England and advanced into Wales and Scotland. Vespasian's relations with the senate were on the whole excellent, thanks to his bluff and unassuming character and his parading of his humble origin. Tacitus observes that he was the first man to improve after becoming emperor. Vespasian died in 79, remarking, 'I think I am becoming a god!' He was succeeded by Titus, who arranged his deification. He was the first emperor to be succeeded by his son, and the first since Augustus to die a natural death (assuming that Tiberius was murdered). The dynasty that he founded, however, would be short-lived, coming to an end with the assassination of his younger son, Domitian, in 96.