Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

VESPASIAN

Titus Flavius Vespasianus, Roman emperor, 69-79 c.e. He was born into a middle-class Roman family on 17 November 9 c.e. at Falacrinae NE of Rome. His impressive career included a tribunate in Thrace, a questorship in Crete and Cyrene, a praetorship under Caligula, command of the Second Legion “Augusta” in Britain, and governorship of Africa. In 67 Nero appointed him governor of Judea in charge of suppressing the Jewish rebellion. His efforts were successful, with Galilee quickly coming under Roman control. At Nero’s death in 68, a period of imperial instability ensued. Vitellius, who was supported by western legions, emerged from the civil strife in Rome as emperor in early 69. Vespasian’s own legions soon proclaimed him emperor. Vespasian left his son Titus in charge of closing the Jewish War, including the siege and destruction of Jerusalem. From his base in Alexandria, which controlled the grain trade, Vespasian won support from other legions and replaced Vitellius in July.

Although a military person, Vespasian’s rule was mostly peaceful. He established the Flavians as legitimate successors to the Julio-Claudian dynasty and engineered the succession of his sons Titus and Domitian in turn. His building accomplishments included the Colosseum and the temple of the Deified Claudius. He also replenished the state treasury that had been depleted by the civil strife following Nero’s death and the Jewish War, but his methods were ruthless and included exorbitant taxation. He was noted for being just, fair, and lenient in legal and political matters and for cooperation with the senate. He died 23 June 79.

Bibliography. F. Millar, The Roman Near East: 31 b.c–a.d. 337 (Cambridge, Mass., 1993); C. Scarre, Chronicle of the Roman Emperors (London, 1995).

Scott Nash

Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

VESPASIAN

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)