Vespasian
Published on Nov 19, 2015
Vespasian Research question and sources
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Vespasian
(69-79 CE)
RQ:The way the Roman emperor Vespasian dealt with finical difficulties to improve Rome were his plans sufficient or not, should have other countries followed his system?
Sources
Document 1
Equal empire and construction
"Vespasian was honest about the source of his power – military strength. Using his new position to grant himself more powers, Vespasian immediately began talking up his humble origins and publishing the divine omens he claimed had predicted his spectacular rise. Finally, he wasted no time establishing his dynasty, insisting that his two sons – Titus and Domitian – would succeed him.
Next on the agenda was the need to restore war-torn Rome to something approaching its former glory. One of the first jobs was to raise money: Nero’s extravagance and the civil war had almost ruined Rome."
Building Rome for power
"By raising taxes and reclaiming public land, Vespasian was able to fill the city’s vaults with cold, hard, cash. He used some of this money on a massive building program, which included temples, a theater and early work on what would become the Colosseum.
He then turned his attention to the army. In a wholesale reorganization, he restored discipline, removed officers loyal to Vitellius and ended the war in Judaea. In Britain, he conquered Wales and northern England."
Url: http://www.pbs.org/empires/romans/empire/vespasian.html
"Vespasian was honest about the source of his power – military strength. Using his new position to grant himself more powers, Vespasian immediately began talking up his humble origins and publishing the divine omens he claimed had predicted his spectacular rise. Finally, he wasted no time establishing his dynasty, insisting that his two sons – Titus and Domitian – would succeed him.
Next on the agenda was the need to restore war-torn Rome to something approaching its former glory. One of the first jobs was to raise money: Nero’s extravagance and the civil war had almost ruined Rome."
Building Rome for power
"By raising taxes and reclaiming public land, Vespasian was able to fill the city’s vaults with cold, hard, cash. He used some of this money on a massive building program, which included temples, a theater and early work on what would become the Colosseum.
He then turned his attention to the army. In a wholesale reorganization, he restored discipline, removed officers loyal to Vitellius and ended the war in Judaea. In Britain, he conquered Wales and northern England."
Url: http://www.pbs.org/empires/romans/empire/vespasian.html
Document 2
Position of Power
"After Claudius's death, Nero gave Vespasian a special command to settle a revolt in Judea. Vespasian was still in Judea when various generals and provincial leaders were conspiring to overthrow Nero, and at first he resisted the idea. However, he finally allowed himself to be 'drafted' for the emperorship by his own soldiers. He departed for Rome, leaving the revolt in Judea to be put down by his son (and successor), Titus.
The task of restoring order to Rome was begun at once. Vespasian began a rebuilding program on vacant lots; restored the Capitol; built a temple to Claudius; and separated himself from the memory of Nero by building an amphitheater on the site of a lake that Nero had created. This great structure, called the Flavian amphitheater after Vespasian's family name, would come to be known more popularly as "the Colosseum." In need of funds for all these projects, he revoked former immunities, manipulated supplies to raise prices on goods, and increased taxes in the provinces. Vespasian re-established military discipline, increased the number of legions in the east, and expanded the western frontiers of the empire into northern England, Scotland, and Wales, and southwest into Germany. He is also credited for initiating state salaries to teachers of Latin and Greek, so one could say that he instituted public education!"
Url: http://www.dl.ket.org/latin3/historia/empire/vespasian.htm
"After Claudius's death, Nero gave Vespasian a special command to settle a revolt in Judea. Vespasian was still in Judea when various generals and provincial leaders were conspiring to overthrow Nero, and at first he resisted the idea. However, he finally allowed himself to be 'drafted' for the emperorship by his own soldiers. He departed for Rome, leaving the revolt in Judea to be put down by his son (and successor), Titus.
The task of restoring order to Rome was begun at once. Vespasian began a rebuilding program on vacant lots; restored the Capitol; built a temple to Claudius; and separated himself from the memory of Nero by building an amphitheater on the site of a lake that Nero had created. This great structure, called the Flavian amphitheater after Vespasian's family name, would come to be known more popularly as "the Colosseum." In need of funds for all these projects, he revoked former immunities, manipulated supplies to raise prices on goods, and increased taxes in the provinces. Vespasian re-established military discipline, increased the number of legions in the east, and expanded the western frontiers of the empire into northern England, Scotland, and Wales, and southwest into Germany. He is also credited for initiating state salaries to teachers of Latin and Greek, so one could say that he instituted public education!"
Url: http://www.dl.ket.org/latin3/historia/empire/vespasian.htm
Document 3
Why he was well loved
"Why was Vespasian famous? Accomplishments, achievements and important events: The defeat of Vitellius resulted in the end of military anarchy and the beginning of an extended period of political stability under Vespasian and the Flavian dynasty which he established. The successful campaign against Judea led to the capture of Jerusalem and the destruction of the Temple. The proceeds of the victory which were spent building the Colosseum in Rome.
Vespasian was brave, active, free from vice, and, although fond of money, was never charged with extortion or rapacity. Although never a refined or cultivated man, Vespasian restored the vigor of the Roman government, and gave peace and prosperity to his subjects. Vespasian founded a library and established schools of rhetoric in Rome."
Url: http://www.tribunesandtriumphs.org/roman-emperors/vespasian.htm
"Why was Vespasian famous? Accomplishments, achievements and important events: The defeat of Vitellius resulted in the end of military anarchy and the beginning of an extended period of political stability under Vespasian and the Flavian dynasty which he established. The successful campaign against Judea led to the capture of Jerusalem and the destruction of the Temple. The proceeds of the victory which were spent building the Colosseum in Rome.
Vespasian was brave, active, free from vice, and, although fond of money, was never charged with extortion or rapacity. Although never a refined or cultivated man, Vespasian restored the vigor of the Roman government, and gave peace and prosperity to his subjects. Vespasian founded a library and established schools of rhetoric in Rome."
Url: http://www.tribunesandtriumphs.org/roman-emperors/vespasian.htm
Document 4
Finances
"Vespasian's major objectives during his reign were to restore Rome's finances after Nero's wasteful reign, to restore discipline in the army after the civil wars and to ensure the succession of his son Titus. He was successful in all three. The immunity from taxation that Nero had given to the Greeks was revoked, and the Colosseum was begun in Rome with spoils from the conquest of Jerusalem.
Vespasian's relations with the senate were on the whole excellent and he set an example by living a relatively simple life. The Roman historian Tacitus observed that he was the first man to improve after becoming emperor."
Url: http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/vespasian.shtml
"Vespasian's major objectives during his reign were to restore Rome's finances after Nero's wasteful reign, to restore discipline in the army after the civil wars and to ensure the succession of his son Titus. He was successful in all three. The immunity from taxation that Nero had given to the Greeks was revoked, and the Colosseum was begun in Rome with spoils from the conquest of Jerusalem.
Vespasian's relations with the senate were on the whole excellent and he set an example by living a relatively simple life. The Roman historian Tacitus observed that he was the first man to improve after becoming emperor."
Url: http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/vespasian.shtml
Document 5
Roman Colosseum
"The Roman Emperor Vespasian and his son Titus constructed the Roman Colosseum. Many Roman Emperors enjoyed the spectacles that the Colosseum had to offer and many of the games were financed by the emperors themselves. There was even an Emperor who took great delight in participating in the games held at the Colosseum - the Emperor Commodus - the Emperor featured in the Russell Crowe Movie Gladiator. Much of the movie was fiction rather than fact - the real Commodus was much worse than the character depicted in the film! This section features the history, facts and information about the famous Emperors and their clothing together with biographies and timelines of the Roman Emperors and the part they played in the persecution of the Christians and the history of the Colosseum. Interesting facts and information about the emperors of Ancient Rome."
" The Roman Life section provides history, facts and information about the people of Ancient Rome. Facts and information about the clothing and lives and life of women, children, the family, marriage, education and food. The history facts and information about the Patricians and the Plebeians, the citizens of Rome, the slaves and the senators. There are several articles relating to Roman slaves including the Slave Market, Slave Auction, Slave Trade, Slave Punishment and the Day in the Life of a Slave. This section also describes the history, information and facts about the activities and entertainments in Ancient Rome. Additional articles, facts and information about Roman Numerals and the numbers 1 100 in Roman numerals, the names of the days of the week and the months, weights, measures and coins. Who was allowed to go to the games at the Colosseum? How much did it cost to go into the Colosseum? Who sat where in the Colosseum? How often did people go to the Colosseum? Comprehensive facts about life in Ancient Rome."
Url: http://www.tribunesandtriumphs.org
"The Roman Emperor Vespasian and his son Titus constructed the Roman Colosseum. Many Roman Emperors enjoyed the spectacles that the Colosseum had to offer and many of the games were financed by the emperors themselves. There was even an Emperor who took great delight in participating in the games held at the Colosseum - the Emperor Commodus - the Emperor featured in the Russell Crowe Movie Gladiator. Much of the movie was fiction rather than fact - the real Commodus was much worse than the character depicted in the film! This section features the history, facts and information about the famous Emperors and their clothing together with biographies and timelines of the Roman Emperors and the part they played in the persecution of the Christians and the history of the Colosseum. Interesting facts and information about the emperors of Ancient Rome."
" The Roman Life section provides history, facts and information about the people of Ancient Rome. Facts and information about the clothing and lives and life of women, children, the family, marriage, education and food. The history facts and information about the Patricians and the Plebeians, the citizens of Rome, the slaves and the senators. There are several articles relating to Roman slaves including the Slave Market, Slave Auction, Slave Trade, Slave Punishment and the Day in the Life of a Slave. This section also describes the history, information and facts about the activities and entertainments in Ancient Rome. Additional articles, facts and information about Roman Numerals and the numbers 1 100 in Roman numerals, the names of the days of the week and the months, weights, measures and coins. Who was allowed to go to the games at the Colosseum? How much did it cost to go into the Colosseum? Who sat where in the Colosseum? How often did people go to the Colosseum? Comprehensive facts about life in Ancient Rome."
Url: http://www.tribunesandtriumphs.org
Document 6
Basic Information
"Titus Flavius Vespasianus was born in A.D. 9, and ruled as emperor from A.D. 69 until his death 10 years later. He was succeeded by his son Titus. Vespasian's parents, of the equestrian class, were T. Flavius Sabinus and Vespasia Polla. Vespasian married Flavia Domitilla with whom he had a daughter and two sons, Titus and Domitian, both of whom became emperors.
Following a revolt in Judaea in A.D. 66, Nero gave Vespasian a special commission to take care of it. Following the suicide of Nero, Vespasian swore allegiance to his successors, but then revolted with the governor of Syria in spring of 69. He left the siege of Jerusalem to his son Titus."
Url: http://ancienthistory.about.com/od/emperors/ig/12-Caesars/Vespasian.htm
"Titus Flavius Vespasianus was born in A.D. 9, and ruled as emperor from A.D. 69 until his death 10 years later. He was succeeded by his son Titus. Vespasian's parents, of the equestrian class, were T. Flavius Sabinus and Vespasia Polla. Vespasian married Flavia Domitilla with whom he had a daughter and two sons, Titus and Domitian, both of whom became emperors.
Following a revolt in Judaea in A.D. 66, Nero gave Vespasian a special commission to take care of it. Following the suicide of Nero, Vespasian swore allegiance to his successors, but then revolted with the governor of Syria in spring of 69. He left the siege of Jerusalem to his son Titus."
Url: http://ancienthistory.about.com/od/emperors/ig/12-Caesars/Vespasian.htm
