Vespasian: How A Commoner Became Roman Emperor

"Titus Flavius Vespasianus was born in Falacrinae, a rural town northeast of Rome, on 17 November 9 CE. There was nothing in his lineage to suggest that he would one day rule as emperor. Indeed, his ancestors were commoners who did not achieve any kind of prominence until the era of the late Roman Republic, when they came into modest wealth."

"Initially, he planned to follow in his father's footsteps and go into finance. But his mother had bigger ambitions for her sons and encouraged them both to go into politics instead, as a path toward upward mobility."

"He came to power at the end of the brief period of upheaval and civil war known as the Year of the Four Emperors, and established the Flavian Dynasty, which ruled the Roman Empire for 27 years. He is best known for crushing the Great Jewish Revolt of 66 CE and for beginning construction of the Colosseum."

Vespasian was born in 9 CE to a family of modest means, with his father working as a tax collector and moneylender. Despite his low birth, his mother encouraged him toward politics rather than finance, setting him on a path to prominence. He began his military career as a tribune in Thrace and achieved senatorial rank by age 25. Rising through the ranks during a period of civil unrest known as the Year of the Four Emperors, Vespasian eventually seized power in 69 CE. He founded the Flavian Dynasty, which ruled for 27 years. His reign was marked by military achievements, including crushing the Great Jewish Revolt, and major construction projects like the Colosseum. He was succeeded by his sons Titus and Domitian.

Read at World History Encyclopedia