New Emperor or New Nero?
by V. Wheeler
On the 24th of June, Titus Flavius Sabinus Vespasianus succeeded his father’s throne as our new emperor. But who is Titus Vespasianus? From our research we have uncovered who our new emperor really is. Titus, the elder son of Emperor Vespasian, was born in AD 39. This indicates he is now 40 years old, and in these 40 years of his life he has definitely experienced quite a lot. As a young boy he was educated together with Emperor Claudius’ son Britannicus, who he became close friends with. Britannicus was never able to become emperor, yet Titus was. It has been considered strange that Titus was friends with the brother of his likeness, Nero. And at the age of 22, Titus left his friend Britannicus to serve in Germany and Britain as a military tribune. After this he returned to Rome and married Arrecina Tertulla, who was the daughter of a former commander of the Praetorian Guard. A year later Titus’ wife died and he then married Marcia Furnilla. Marcia was of a distinguished family which had connections to opponents of Nero. Following the Pisonian conspiracy, Titus saw it best not to be connected with any plotters and divorced Marcia in AD 65. In this same year he was appointed quaestor, and then became the commander of one of his father’s legions in Judea in AD 67. In the summer of AD 69 Vespasian set out for Rome to claim his throne and Titus was left in charge of the military operation against the Jews in Judea. In AD 70 Jerusalem fell to Titus’ troops, and he had the Great Temple of Jerusalem destroyed. Titus' success won him much praise and respect in Rome and among the legions. The massive arch of Titus, celebrating his triumph over the Jews, was built in honor of his victory. Titus’ triumphalism after his victory over the Jews raised suspicions that he might have become disloyal to his father. But Titus' loyalty to his father had not waned. He knew himself Vespasian's heir, and was sensible enough to wait until his time would come. And he could count on his father to pass on the throne to him, for Vespasian is reported to have once said, “Either my son shall be my successor, or no one at all.” Throughout time Titus was his father's right hand man, conducting routine affairs of state, dictating letters, and even delivering his father's speeches in the senate. Titus also did all of his father's dirty work during his position of praetorian prefect, removing political opponents by questionable means. It was a role which made him unpopular with the people. This year Vespasian died and Titus succeeded the throne. So far he has been deeply detested. The senate dislikes him, for having no part in his appointment and for having been the ruthless figure for the less savory matters of state in Vespasian's government. Meanwhile, the people dislike him for continuing his father's unpopular economic policies and taxes.
For more information see;
www.roman-empire.net/emperors/titus-index.html