Under the emperors Claudius and Nero, Vespasian rose quickly through the military ranks. His skills were first noticed by Claudius, who named him to important posts. His successes with Claudius in Britain won him many honors. As governor in Spain he earned a reputation for being scrupulous (which made him unpopular with Romans seeking to add to their wealth through corruption).
After Claudius's death, Nero gave Vespasian a special command to settle a revolt in Judea. Vespasian was still in Judea when various generals and provincial leaders were conspiring to overthrow Nero, and at first he resisted the idea. However, he finally allowed himself to be 'drafted' for the emperorship by his own soldiers. He departed for Rome, leaving the revolt in Judea to be put down by his son (and successor), Titus.
The task of restoring order to Rome was begun at once. Vespasian began a rebuilding program on vacant lots; restored the Capitol; built a temple to Claudius; and separated himself from the memory of Nero by building an amphitheater on the site of a lake that Nero had created. This great structure, called the Flavian amphitheater after Vespasian's family name, would come to be known more popularly as "the Colosseum." In need of funds for all these projects, he revoked former immunities, manipulated supplies to raise prices on goods, and increased taxes in the provinces. Vespasian re-established military discipline, increased the number of legions in the east, and expanded the western frontiers of the empire into northern England, Scotland, and Wales, and southwest into Germany. He is also credited for initiating state salaries to teachers of Latin and Greek, so one could say that he instituted public education!
Vespasian died a peaceful and natural death. It is said that his last words on his deathbed were, "Oh my, I must be turning into a god!" (demonstrating his skepticisim about the deification of emperors). He had reigned for ten years and left Rome a much better place than it had been.
Meet the emperors face-to-face here in A Portrait Gallery
Sources:
The Oxford Classical Dictionary
http://www.roman-emperors.org
-- J.Jahnige, November 2003 (revised 2006)
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