Vespasian's Power

"The empire, which for a long time had been unsettled and, as it were, drifting, through the usurpation and violent death of three emperors, was at last taken in hand and given stability by the Flavian family." Thus Suetonius opens his biography of Vespasian, a general with a modest background who gained the rule of Rome and stabilized it in a time of intense crisis. After Nero’s death, Rome was thrown into chaos and in one year saw four emperors: Galba, Otho, Vitellius, and Vespasian. Vespasian survived and succeeded where the others failed, holding control of the state and peacefully passing control to his son Titus at his death. The ancient sources and modern commentaries provide clues to why Vespasian was so successful. Tacitus’ war-focused Histories provide the clearest, most detailed account of Vespasian’s rise to power, while Josephus’ history of the Jewish revolt and Suetonius’ colorful biography provide other useful details. Coins and inscriptions, especially the "Lex de imperio Vespasiani," offer valuable insight into Vespasian’s time as emperor. The sources undeniably show that Vespasian was brought to power by the military might of his own legions and the legions which came to support him. However, Vespasian was ultimately successful because he went further and also employed political, ideological, and economic power, using each to solidify different aspects of his rule.

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