Titus
| Titus was the son of Vespasian, and he would become the second emperor of the Flavian dynasty. Historians have put him under the category of "Good Emperor," due to his building projects in Rome and his success as a military general. He immediately became emperor after the death of his father. His reign lasted from the year 79 until 81. He is perhaps best known for putting an end to the Jewish Rebellion. He was able to help the Romans after the eruption of Mount Vesuvius, and he was also responsible for reconstructing Rome after the fire that broke out in 80. His mother was Domitilla the Elder. |  |
Before he became emperor, he was a part of the military tribune in Brittania. When he came back to Rome, he married Arrecina Tertulla. However, she died shortly after her marriage, and he would then marry Marcia Furnilla, who came from a distinguished family. Because she conspired against him, he would divorce her and never remarry for the rest of his life. He was terrified by the conspiracy, which is called the Pisonian conspiracy. While his father was emperor, he served as a commander in his army. Titus was able to gain the favor of Mucianus, who was a governor in Syria. They worked together to enhance his father's power, and they played a role in his ability to become emperor.
Once Vespasian became emperor, it was the responsibility of Titus to make sure the Jewish Rebellion was squashed. Titus did this very successfully. The temple in Jerusalem was heavily damaged, and a large segment of the population had either fled or been killed. While he never remarried, he did begin a relationship with Berenice of Cilicia, and she was the daughter of Herod Agrippa. Once he returned to Rome, Titus was given a large number of rewards for his success. He was allowed to become a prefect in the Praetorian Guard, and this insured that the troops would be loyal to Vespasian. Josephus was a contemporary historian who recording these events in his book The Jewish War.
Once Vespasian died, Titus became emperor of Rome. While the Senate did not like the relationship he had with Berenice, they recognized him as emperor. He went on to become a great emperor, one of the last great emperors that would Rule Rome. Once he died, his younger brother Domitian became emperor. It was Titus who was responsible for the completion of the Colosseum.
Original Authors: Stephen Palmer
Edit Update Authors: RPN
Updated On: 02/02/2007
