Vespasian, Titus Flavius Vespasianus AD9-79
Roman emperor

Founder of the Flavian dynasty, he was born near Reate. In the reign of Claudius he commanded a legion in Germany and in Britain, was consul (AD51), and then proconsul of Africa (c.63). In 67 Nero sent him to subdue the Jews. When the struggle began between Otho and Vitellius he was proclaimed imperator by the legions in the East and on the death of Vitellius was appointed emperor. Leaving the war in Judea to his son Titus, he reached Rome in 70, and soon restored the government and finances to order. Bluff and popular, but astute and hard-working, he adopted a simple lifestyle. He embarked on an ambitious building programme in Rome, began the Colosseum, and extended and consolidated Roman conquests in Britain and Germany.

Bibliography: L P Homo, Vespasien, l'empereur du bon sens (1949)