1. Biography
Titus Flavius Vespasianus, born on November 17th 9 AD close to Retae in Sabinum, was the son of Flavius Sabinus, a member of the knight′s class. Already at the age of about 20 years, Vespasian started his successful political career, as he was
tribunus militum in Thrace. Later he was provincial Quaestor for Crete and Cyrenaica (35-36?), Aedil (38), Praetor (39/40), Legate of the Legio II Augusta (42/3-47), Suffect Consul (51), Proconsul in Africa (ca. 63-64) and Comes Neronis in Achaia (66-67). In 67 AD, he took charge over the three legions destined to suppress the Jewis revolt. While he was still operating in Iudaea, the Year of the Four Emperors brought unrest and civil war to the Empire. Vespasian first supported Galba and Otho, but after Vitellius made himself Emperor, Vespasian, supported by the Egyptian prefect Tiberius Iulius Alexander, was made emperor by the eastern legions. Before he himself could march on Rome, the Danubian legions, who declared themselves for him,
invaded Italy and killed Vitellius. Vespasian now was the undisputed ruler of the Empire.
The new princeps soon proved to be a pragmatic and capable emperor. He limited the number of the legions, reorganised the finances and conducted a successful foreign policy. His son and heir Titus brought the Jewish revolt to an end by capturing and sacking Jerusalem in 70 AD. In Germany, Vespasian annexed the
agri decimates to shorten the frontier, while he also initialized the final conquest of Britain. Today, he is better known for setting the foundations of the
amphiteatrum flavium (the Colosseum) and for his striking quotations like
pecunia non olet (money does not stink). There can be no doubt Vespasian was one of the most capable Roman Emperors and he inherited his sons a well organized Empire after his death on June 23
rd 79 AD.
2. Coinage
2.1. Some general notes
One characteristic point for the coinage of Vespasian is the ongoing centralization of the mints during his reign. All in total, the following mints issued coins:
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Rome: 69-79, all metals and denominations
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Lugdunum: 70-72, all metals and denominations. 77-78, only Sestertii, Dupondii and Asses
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Spain, probably two different uncertain mints: 69-70, all metals and denominations
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Uncertain early military mints:
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Group 1: Moesia, 69-70, Aurei and Denarii
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Group 2: uncertain western mint, 69-70, only Denarii
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Groups 3-5: uncertain mints, 69-71, Aurei and Denarii
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Ephesus: 70-74, Aurei, Denarii and Cistophors
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Later Asia Minor mint (Ephesus?): 76, only Denarii
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Later Asia Minor mint (Ephesus?): 77-78, only AE
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Egypt, Judaea and Syria:
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Group 1: Alexandria (?), 69-70, only Aurei
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Group 2: Judaea, 70, Aurei
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Group 3: Antiochia, 70, Aurei and Denarii
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Group 4: Antiochia, 72 (?)-73, mainly Aurei
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Group 5: Antiochia, 72, Denarii
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"For Syria" (Aurichalcum from the Rome mint): 74, only AE
2.2. Portrait
The portraiture of Vespasian is very honest and realistic: it shows an aged, brawny and bull-necked head with a striking chin and a typical Roman hook-nose. There are stylistic differences between the mints, but apart from the earliest, Vitellius-looking portraits the image of Vespasian does not change a lot during his ten year reign.
Different portraits of Vespasianus.
2.3. The Types
Apart from the standard types like Pax and Vesta, Vespasian issued a lot of propagandistic coins relating to the Judaean campaigns. We encounter the victorious emperor, the mourning Judaea and triumphal quadrigae. Another remarkable appearance are dynastical types copying earlier prototypes and proclaiming a secured succession of the throne.
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Sesterius of Vespasian, Rome mint, with IVDAEA CAPTA reverse legend. The image shows a mourning Iudaea and a Jew with bound hands, two heap of weapons and a palm tree.
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Denarius of Vespasian, Ephesus mint, on the reverse the two Caesares Titus and Domitian, surrounded by the legend LIBERI IMP AVG VESPAS.
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2.4. Coins
ROMANATIC DATABASE
