v50_0011 - VESPASIAN, TITUS and DOMITIAN Aureus

VESPASIAN, TITUS and DOMITIAN

(69-79)

Born in 39, Titus is the eldest son of Vespasian and Flavia Domitilla. In 66, when Vespasian received the proconsulate and three legions from Nero with the task of suppressing the Judean revolt which had just broken out, Titus followed his father to Judea, where he was legate of the XV legion Apollinaris. After the proclamation of Alexandria, on July 1, 69, where Vespasian was acclaimed august, the new emperor left it to him to complete the pacification of Judea during which he fell in love with Berenice (cf.. Racine's piece). After taking Jerusalem in the summer of 70, he celebrated the triumph with his father in January 71. Domitian, second son of Vespasian, was born in 51. In December 69, he was in Rome with his uncle Flavius Sabinus during the Capitoline fire.. He survives, but his uncle perishes there.. It is Domitian who represents Vespasian in Rome. He takes the opportunity to lead a dissolute life. Vespasian shortens operations in Judea, leaves Titus, his eldest son, to complete the siege of Jerusalem and returns to Rome to resume the reins of power. He takes the opportunity to remove his youngest son from the center of decisions. Titus becomes co-regent with his father, while Domitian is maintained in the subordinate role of Caesar.