The Flavian Dynasty - History of the Roman Empire (69 - 96 AD)

The first months of Vespasian’s rule would be undertaken by Mucianus and Vespasian’s son,

Domitian, while the emperor remained in Egypt. Mucianus was focused heavily on repairing the

empire’s slipping finances and he did so by attempting to impose as many new taxes as the

people would allow. Upon Vespasian’s arrival in Rome, the taxes continued,

in spite of growing rebellions throughout the empire’s territories. Persecution of

Jews as Vespasian’s son, Titus, worked to suppress an ongoing revolt in Judea would

add further negativity to the new emperor’s early reign which was then amplified by the

Batavian Rebellion breaking out in Gaul as Julius Sabinus declared himself Emperor

of Gaul and a descendant of Julius Caesar. This challenge too was eventually thwarted,

but Vespasian was becoming increasingly aware of the risk to his power. Something had to be done.

And thus was born his propaganda campaign… Immediately upon reaching Rome, the Princeps

had attempted to win over support by handing out lavish gifts to his soldiers and citizenry. He

also ventured to convince the populous that he was their rightful leader due to his military triumphs

thus far. Any remaining supporters of Vitellius or simply opposition to Vespasian were eradicated and

there was an obvious ongoing effort to control the narrative around the emperor’s reign.

This, nevertheless, wouldn’t be enough to save Vespasian from the tradition of conspiracies

against the current ruler. Details of these attempts on his life are not well known, but it is

noted that the emperor was faced with plot after plot as he struggled to manage public opinion.

Achieving success at just that, and thus surviving all schemes targeted against him,

Emperor Vespasian would die by illness on June 23, 79 AD, leaving the reins of the empire to Titus…

A seasoned military tribune and quaestor, Titus had been made commander of the Praetorian Guard,

served as a 7-time consul, and held tribunician power alongside his father during Vespasian's

reign. When the time came for someone to take the empty throne after Vespasian's death,

Titus was ready for the undertaking. This was in the face of notable concern

from the Roman public who, feeding off of prior rumors and accusations, believed that Titus may

be more like Caligula or Nero than any of his other predecessors. Their assumptions were quickly

challenged, however, as Titus came to power with a promise to put a pause on all treason trials

due to his assertion that, “It is impossible for me to be insulted or abused in any way. For I do

naught that deserves censure, and I care not for what is reported falsely. As for the emperors who

are dead and gone, they will avenge themselves in case anyone does them a wrong, if in very

truth they are demigods and possess any power.”... Public perception of Titus would gradually shift

and the people’s fear melted into relieved approval and even adoration by some. Great

feats such as the completion of the Colosseum, which had begun construction under Vespasian,

added to Titus’s admired accomplishments. Other construction projects nonetheless may

have been overshadowed by a series of ill-fated trials from the eruption of Mount Vesuvius to

a fire in 80 AD that resembled a more tamed rerun of the Great Fire during Nero’s reign.

Rebellions additionally had to be dealt with under Titus’s administration and, allegedly,

Domitian began to hatch a scheme against his own brother at some point during his reign.

It wouldn’t be a conspiracy or imperial challenge that would be cause for another exchange of power,