Roman History 15 - Galba To Agricola 69 - 79 AD

hello and welcome to the history of hello and welcome to the history of Rome episode 70 galba and Rome episode 70 galba and Rome episode 70 galba and oo so the history of Rome is now married oo so the history of Rome is now married oo so the history of Rome is now married and settled into our new Global and settled into our new Global and settled into our new Global Headquarters in Austin Texas it was an Headquarters in Austin Texas it was an Headquarters in Austin Texas it was an eventful break and the last few weeks eventful break and the last few weeks eventful break and the last few weeks saw some pretty major changes in my life saw some pretty major changes in my life saw some pretty major changes in my life as fun as it all was though I'm eager to as fun as it all was though I'm eager to as fun as it all was though I'm eager to get back to the comfortable weekly get back to the comfortable weekly get back to the comfortable weekly Rhythm of the show so without further Rhythm of the show so without further Rhythm of the show so without further Ado let's get to Ado let's get to Ado let's get to it you'll remember that in early 68 ad it you'll remember that in early 68 ad it you'll remember that in early 68 ad guas Julius vindex governor of one of guas Julius vindex governor of one of guas Julius vindex governor of one of the gall provinces rose up in revolt the gall provinces rose up in revolt the gall provinces rose up in revolt against Nero vindex tried to convince against Nero vindex tried to convince against Nero vindex tried to convince old Seria sesus galba governor of the old Seria sesus galba governor of the old Seria sesus galba governor of the largest province in Spain to join him largest province in Spain to join him largest province in Spain to join him and lead a wider Rebellion but galba and lead a wider Rebellion but galba and lead a wider Rebellion but galba refused to commit to the fight and vex's refused to commit to the fight and vex's refused to commit to the fight and vex's Revolt was put down by Lucius virginius Revolt was put down by Lucius virginius Revolt was put down by Lucius virginius Rufus commander of the legions on the Rufus commander of the legions on the Rufus commander of the legions on the upper Rine but the legions on the Rind upper Rine but the legions on the Rind upper Rine but the legions on the Rind were not driven by any deep love for were not driven by any deep love for were not driven by any deep love for Nero and having defeated vindex they Nero and having defeated vindex they Nero and having defeated vindex they tried to convince virginius himself to tried to convince virginius himself to tried to convince virginius himself to lead them all in Rebellion against Nero lead them all in Rebellion against Nero lead them all in Rebellion against Nero but virginius but virginius but virginius refused though vex's rebellion was refused though vex's rebellion was refused though vex's rebellion was technically put down and virginius technically put down and virginius technically put down and virginius remained loyal these events signaled to remained loyal these events signaled to remained loyal these events signaled to the Empire that Nero's star was fading the Empire that Nero's star was fading the Empire that Nero's star was fading fast and that it was time to flee from fast and that it was time to flee from fast and that it was time to flee from the sinking the sinking the sinking ship in Rome the petorian prefect nidus ship in Rome the petorian prefect nidus ship in Rome the petorian prefect nidus sabinus told his men that if they sabinus told his men that if they sabinus told his men that if they abandon Nero and supported the abandon Nero and supported the abandon Nero and supported the aforementioned galba that the old aforementioned galba that the old aforementioned galba that the old governor of Spain would pay them all off governor of Spain would pay them all off governor of Spain would pay them all off handsomely galba had said no such thing handsomely galba had said no such thing handsomely galba had said no such thing but he had decided that the time to but he had decided that the time to but he had decided that the time to break publicly with Nero was at hand

break publicly with Nero was at hand break publicly with Nero was at hand with every important Commander turning with every important Commander turning with every important Commander turning on the emperor the Senate seized the on the emperor the Senate seized the on the emperor the Senate seized the opportunity to be rid of Nero declared opportunity to be rid of Nero declared opportunity to be rid of Nero declared him a public enemy and called for his him a public enemy and called for his him a public enemy and called for his execution a fate Nero escaped only by execution a fate Nero escaped only by execution a fate Nero escaped only by committing committing committing suicide with Nero dead the Senate sent suicide with Nero dead the Senate sent suicide with Nero dead the Senate sent word that they were ready to recognize word that they were ready to recognize word that they were ready to recognize galba as the new Caesar in just a few galba as the new Caesar in just a few galba as the new Caesar in just a few short months galba had gone from a short months galba had gone from a short months galba had gone from a provincial Governor contemplating provincial Governor contemplating provincial Governor contemplating retirement to Absolute ruler of the retirement to Absolute ruler of the retirement to Absolute ruler of the Roman Empire all that was left to do was Roman Empire all that was left to do was Roman Empire all that was left to do was March on Rome and assume the throne I March on Rome and assume the throne I March on Rome and assume the throne I think that that is about where we left think that that is about where we left think that that is about where we left off galba's brief reign as Emperor would off galba's brief reign as Emperor would off galba's brief reign as Emperor would be stormy to say the least the storm was be stormy to say the least the storm was be stormy to say the least the storm was in part his own fault both for things he in part his own fault both for things he in part his own fault both for things he had done in the past and things he would had done in the past and things he would had done in the past and things he would do now that he was in power but the fact do now that he was in power but the fact do now that he was in power but the fact is that oo was able to find murderous is that oo was able to find murderous is that oo was able to find murderous accomplices within the ranks of the accomplices within the ranks of the accomplices within the ranks of the petorian Guard not because of what galba petorian Guard not because of what galba petorian Guard not because of what galba was doing per se but because galba was doing per se but because galba was doing per se but because galba refused to keep promises that galba had refused to keep promises that galba had refused to keep promises that galba had never actually never actually never actually made from the moment it looked like made from the moment it looked like made from the moment it looked like sticking with Nero would be suicide an sticking with Nero would be suicide an sticking with Nero would be suicide an idious sabinus had been promising all idious sabinus had been promising all idious sabinus had been promising all kinds of riches to the Troops under his kinds of riches to the Troops under his kinds of riches to the Troops under his command if they backed galba the prefect command if they backed galba the prefect command if they backed galba the prefect made all these promises as if he was made all these promises as if he was made all these promises as if he was simply relaying messages received from simply relaying messages received from simply relaying messages received from galba but mostly he was just telling galba but mostly he was just telling galba but mostly he was just telling Whoppers and hoping that they would come Whoppers and hoping that they would come Whoppers and hoping that they would come true true true later I think that probably most Roman later I think that probably most Roman later I think that probably most Roman politicians in galba shoes arriving in politicians in galba shoes arriving in politicians in galba shoes arriving in Rome to news that the pretorians were Rome to news that the pretorians were Rome to news that the pretorians were expecting x amount as a donative would expecting x amount as a donative would expecting x amount as a donative would have felt compelled to pay the money but have felt compelled to pay the money but have felt compelled to pay the money but Galo was a peculiar bird and a

Galo was a peculiar bird and a Galo was a peculiar bird and a world-class Miser he scoffed at sabinus world-class Miser he scoffed at sabinus world-class Miser he scoffed at sabinus promises and then naively went about his promises and then naively went about his promises and then naively went about his business as if canceling the bonuses business as if canceling the bonuses business as if canceling the bonuses would have no serious would have no serious would have no serious consequences of course by this point consequences of course by this point consequences of course by this point sabinus had already been murdered by his sabinus had already been murdered by his sabinus had already been murdered by his own men so maybe galba figured that own men so maybe galba figured that own men so maybe galba figured that everyone understood that anything the everyone understood that anything the everyone understood that anything the prefect had said was now moot but I am prefect had said was now moot but I am prefect had said was now moot but I am getting a bit ahead of getting a bit ahead of getting a bit ahead of myself galba did not immediately leave myself galba did not immediately leave myself galba did not immediately leave for Rome in the days following his for Rome in the days following his for Rome in the days following his Ascension he was after all still Ascension he was after all still Ascension he was after all still governor of a rich and independent governor of a rich and independent governor of a rich and independent minded Province he had to make sure that minded Province he had to make sure that minded Province he had to make sure that Spain would not fall apart when its Spain would not fall apart when its Spain would not fall apart when its longtime administrator suddenly left on longtime administrator suddenly left on longtime administrator suddenly left on more important business he lingered for more important business he lingered for more important business he lingered for a month raising a new Legion to a month raising a new Legion to a month raising a new Legion to accompany him on the march to Rome and accompany him on the march to Rome and accompany him on the march to Rome and finding the right man to take over finding the right man to take over finding the right man to take over governance of the province as an aside governance of the province as an aside governance of the province as an aside the man galba chose to succeed him the man galba chose to succeed him the man galba chose to succeed him signal galba's priorities or more signal galba's priorities or more signal galba's priorities or more accurately the priorities of his three accurately the priorities of his three accurately the priorities of his three advisers vinas Leo and I Kellis when it advisers vinas Leo and I Kellis when it advisers vinas Leo and I Kellis when it came to appointing came to appointing came to appointing Governors clus Rufus was a Governors clus Rufus was a Governors clus Rufus was a well-respected Senator but a man with no well-respected Senator but a man with no well-respected Senator but a man with no military experience it was a mold that military experience it was a mold that military experience it was a mold that Galo would use for other key provincial Galo would use for other key provincial Galo would use for other key provincial appointment most notably vitellius is appointment most notably vitellius is appointment most notably vitellius is evental command of the legions on the evental command of the legions on the evental command of the legions on the lower Rine the three pedagogues had no lower Rine the three pedagogues had no lower Rine the three pedagogues had no intention of putting experienced intention of putting experienced intention of putting experienced military men at the head of large armies military men at the head of large armies military men at the head of large armies that was after all how they had just that was after all how they had just that was after all how they had just come to power and they weren't about to come to power and they weren't about to come to power and they weren't about to let anyone else repeat the let anyone else repeat the let anyone else repeat the process galba finally shoved off for

process galba finally shoved off for process galba finally shoved off for Rome in July but was soon met by a Rome in July but was soon met by a Rome in July but was soon met by a delegation from the Senate bringing news delegation from the Senate bringing news delegation from the Senate bringing news that things in the capital were getting that things in the capital were getting that things in the capital were getting out of hand galba's continued absence out of hand galba's continued absence out of hand galba's continued absence from the city had allowed the Ambitions from the city had allowed the Ambitions from the city had allowed the Ambitions of sabinus to grow at an exponential of sabinus to grow at an exponential of sabinus to grow at an exponential rate the petorian prefect had apparently rate the petorian prefect had apparently rate the petorian prefect had apparently decided that it was no longer enough to decided that it was no longer enough to decided that it was no longer enough to Simply back a new emperor he now Simply back a new emperor he now Simply back a new emperor he now actually wanted to be that new emperor actually wanted to be that new emperor actually wanted to be that new emperor to that end sabinus had begun passing to that end sabinus had begun passing to that end sabinus had begun passing around a rumor that he was actually the around a rumor that he was actually the around a rumor that he was actually the son of Caligula and thus the rightful son of Caligula and thus the rightful son of Caligula and thus the rightful juli claan heir to juli claan heir to juli claan heir to Nero but sabinus hung himself before Nero but sabinus hung himself before Nero but sabinus hung himself before galba or the senate had a chance to galba or the senate had a chance to galba or the senate had a chance to respond already somewhat ashamed of respond already somewhat ashamed of respond already somewhat ashamed of themselves for having turned on Nero so themselves for having turned on Nero so themselves for having turned on Nero so readily a good chunk of the Guard was readily a good chunk of the Guard was readily a good chunk of the Guard was mortally offended that sabinus was now mortally offended that sabinus was now mortally offended that sabinus was now calling on them to abandon galba before calling on them to abandon galba before calling on them to abandon galba before the latter even had a chance to arrive the latter even had a chance to arrive the latter even had a chance to arrive in Rome were they really such a in Rome were they really such a in Rome were they really such a dishonorable lot that their loyalties dishonorable lot that their loyalties dishonorable lot that their loyalties would simply shift at the slightest would simply shift at the slightest would simply shift at the slightest Breeze when sabinus arrived at the Breeze when sabinus arrived at the Breeze when sabinus arrived at the petorian camp ready to accept the title petorian camp ready to accept the title petorian camp ready to accept the title of Cesar he was instead greeted by an of Cesar he was instead greeted by an of Cesar he was instead greeted by an angry mob they allowed their prefect angry mob they allowed their prefect angry mob they allowed their prefect through the gate and then they locked through the gate and then they locked through the gate and then they locked the door behind him sabinus did not make the door behind him sabinus did not make the door behind him sabinus did not make it out of the camp it out of the camp it out of the camp alive onor aside there was really no alive onor aside there was really no alive onor aside there was really no reason to turn on galba just just yet reason to turn on galba just just yet reason to turn on galba just just yet anyway after all there was the matter of anyway after all there was the matter of anyway after all there was the matter of that huge bonus they had been that huge bonus they had been that huge bonus they had been promised the case of the missing promised the case of the missing promised the case of the missing donative as I said was a landmine that donative as I said was a landmine that donative as I said was a landmine that the unsuspecting galba would eventually the unsuspecting galba would eventually the unsuspecting galba would eventually step on but in his defense it was at step on but in his defense it was at step on but in his defense it was at least a landmine laid by someone else on

least a landmine laid by someone else on least a landmine laid by someone else on his March from Spain to Rome though his March from Spain to Rome though his March from Spain to Rome though galba did plenty enough damage to his galba did plenty enough damage to his galba did plenty enough damage to his own reputation without anyone else's own reputation without anyone else's own reputation without anyone else's help when he finally got to Italy and help when he finally got to Italy and help when he finally got to Italy and stepped on the mine that was laid by stepped on the mine that was laid by stepped on the mine that was laid by sabinus Galo was already politically sabinus Galo was already politically sabinus Galo was already politically wounded enough that rather than just wounded enough that rather than just wounded enough that rather than just knock him around some the blast would knock him around some the blast would knock him around some the blast would actually be enough to finally kill actually be enough to finally kill actually be enough to finally kill him there are a couple of schools of him there are a couple of schools of him there are a couple of schools of thought about how best to ascend to the thought about how best to ascend to the thought about how best to ascend to the throne following a c-like situation one throne following a c-like situation one throne following a c-like situation one is embodied by Julius Caesar who was is embodied by Julius Caesar who was is embodied by Julius Caesar who was forever pardoning his enemies and forever pardoning his enemies and forever pardoning his enemies and exuding a spirit of such generosity and exuding a spirit of such generosity and exuding a spirit of such generosity and forgiveness that you couldn't help but forgiveness that you couldn't help but forgiveness that you couldn't help but love the guy the other was embodied by love the guy the other was embodied by love the guy the other was embodied by Octavian who ruthlessly purged all his Octavian who ruthlessly purged all his Octavian who ruthlessly purged all his enemies so that when he sees power he enemies so that when he sees power he enemies so that when he sees power he could play the part of enlightened could play the part of enlightened could play the part of enlightened desperate without fear of desperate without fear of desperate without fear of counterrevolution galba followed the counterrevolution galba followed the counterrevolution galba followed the path of Octavian but did so without the path of Octavian but did so without the path of Octavian but did so without the slightest hint of political Savvy or slightest hint of political Savvy or slightest hint of political Savvy or decency in Roman society it was one decency in Roman society it was one decency in Roman society it was one thing to kill your enemies it was quite thing to kill your enemies it was quite thing to kill your enemies it was quite another to kill their wives and children another to kill their wives and children another to kill their wives and children it was one thing to execute a few it was one thing to execute a few it was one thing to execute a few troublemakers within an unruly Legion it troublemakers within an unruly Legion it troublemakers within an unruly Legion it was quite another to slaughter entire was quite another to slaughter entire was quite another to slaughter entire cohorts just beyond the walls of Rome cohorts just beyond the walls of Rome cohorts just beyond the walls of Rome because you don't like their because you don't like their because you don't like their attitude when he left Spain Galo was attitude when he left Spain Galo was attitude when he left Spain Galo was seen as a wise and experienced leader seen as a wise and experienced leader seen as a wise and experienced leader capable of saving the Empire from the capable of saving the Empire from the capable of saving the Empire from the excesses of Nero but by the time he excesses of Nero but by the time he excesses of Nero but by the time he arrived in Rome he was seen as an arrived in Rome he was seen as an arrived in Rome he was seen as an inflexible and cruel Tyrant as tacitus inflexible and cruel Tyrant as tacitus inflexible and cruel Tyrant as tacitus says everyone agreed that Galo would says everyone agreed that Galo would says everyone agreed that Galo would make an excellent Emperor until he make an excellent Emperor until he make an excellent Emperor until he actually became

actually became actually became emperor the dastardly crime of killing emperor the dastardly crime of killing emperor the dastardly crime of killing wives and children came early on as wives and children came early on as wives and children came early on as galba Consolidated his hold over Spain galba Consolidated his hold over Spain galba Consolidated his hold over Spain Governors and procurators in the region Governors and procurators in the region Governors and procurators in the region who did not immed immediately offer who did not immed immediately offer who did not immed immediately offer their full-throated support for the new their full-throated support for the new their full-throated support for the new Caesar were rounded up along with their Caesar were rounded up along with their Caesar were rounded up along with their families and murdered the indecency of families and murdered the indecency of families and murdered the indecency of this purge was at first missed in all this purge was at first missed in all this purge was at first missed in all the confusion but word of what had the confusion but word of what had the confusion but word of what had happened would Trail galba on his trip happened would Trail galba on his trip happened would Trail galba on his trip to Rome and then linger as further proof to Rome and then linger as further proof to Rome and then linger as further proof that the increasingly dislike galba was that the increasingly dislike galba was that the increasingly dislike galba was in fact a in fact a in fact a monster the new emperor exacerbated the monster the new emperor exacerbated the monster the new emperor exacerbated the situation by treating towns he passed as situation by treating towns he passed as situation by treating towns he passed as enemy fortresses if they did not enemy fortresses if they did not enemy fortresses if they did not immediately submit to his immediately submit to his immediately submit to his authority otherwise per Ally loyal and authority otherwise per Ally loyal and authority otherwise per Ally loyal and peaceful settlements were sacked by peaceful settlements were sacked by peaceful settlements were sacked by galba's men who acted like a conquering galba's men who acted like a conquering galba's men who acted like a conquering Army on the March through enemy Army on the March through enemy Army on the March through enemy territory galba arrived at the outskirts territory galba arrived at the outskirts territory galba arrived at the outskirts of Rome in October and by that time of Rome in October and by that time of Rome in October and by that time everyone knew what a swath he had Cut everyone knew what a swath he had Cut everyone knew what a swath he had Cut Across the Western Empire the Romans Across the Western Empire the Romans Across the Western Empire the Romans braced themselves to greet their braced themselves to greet their braced themselves to greet their savior but before he set foot in the savior but before he set foot in the savior but before he set foot in the city galba blasted out the final chunk city galba blasted out the final chunk city galba blasted out the final chunk of what was left of his of what was left of his of what was left of his reputation prior to committing suicide reputation prior to committing suicide reputation prior to committing suicide Nero had raised a new Legion composed Nero had raised a new Legion composed Nero had raised a new Legion composed mostly of ex-marines and sailors in the mostly of ex-marines and sailors in the mostly of ex-marines and sailors in the hierarchy of the Roman Armed Forces hierarchy of the Roman Armed Forces hierarchy of the Roman Armed Forces Marines and sailors were a barely Marines and sailors were a barely Marines and sailors were a barely acknowledged necessity whereas full acknowledged necessity whereas full acknowledged necessity whereas full legionnaires were respected and granted legionnaires were respected and granted legionnaires were respected and granted all sorts of all sorts of all sorts of privileges not wanting to give up their privileges not wanting to give up their privileges not wanting to give up their so recently acquired bumpin status

so recently acquired bumpin status so recently acquired bumpin status soldiers from the new Legion greeted soldiers from the new Legion greeted soldiers from the new Legion greeted galba at the milvian bridge and demanded galba at the milvian bridge and demanded galba at the milvian bridge and demanded that he legalize their promotions galba that he legalize their promotions galba that he legalize their promotions galba ordered them to disperse but they ordered them to disperse but they ordered them to disperse but they refused which galba took to be nothing refused which galba took to be nothing refused which galba took to be nothing less than rank in subordination and less than rank in subordination and less than rank in subordination and possibly possibly possibly treason when a few in the petitioning treason when a few in the petitioning treason when a few in the petitioning Legion Drew their sword to show that Legion Drew their sword to show that Legion Drew their sword to show that they meant business galba snapped and they meant business galba snapped and they meant business galba snapped and ordered his Legion to ordered his Legion to ordered his Legion to attack this was not simply meant to be a attack this was not simply meant to be a attack this was not simply meant to be a terrifying display of force Galo was terrifying display of force Galo was terrifying display of force Galo was deadly serious and in the ensuing deadly serious and in the ensuing deadly serious and in the ensuing Massacre thousands from the new Legion Massacre thousands from the new Legion Massacre thousands from the new Legion were killed when the fighting stopped were killed when the fighting stopped were killed when the fighting stopped galba rounded up the survivors and galba rounded up the survivors and galba rounded up the survivors and decided to revive the long since decided to revive the long since decided to revive the long since discarded practice of decimation whereby discarded practice of decimation whereby discarded practice of decimation whereby by one out of every 10 men was selected by one out of every 10 men was selected by one out of every 10 men was selected by lots and put to death the punished by lots and put to death the punished by lots and put to death the punished Legion was in shock at having to submit Legion was in shock at having to submit Legion was in shock at having to submit to this archaic and cruel punishment to this archaic and cruel punishment to this archaic and cruel punishment Galas own men were disgusted by the Galas own men were disgusted by the Galas own men were disgusted by the display and the people of Rome were display and the people of Rome were display and the people of Rome were horrified galba simply stated that he horrified galba simply stated that he horrified galba simply stated that he was acting well within the bounds of was acting well within the bounds of was acting well within the bounds of military law and though he was right on military law and though he was right on military law and though he was right on the statutory Point politically he could the statutory Point politically he could the statutory Point politically he could not have been more not have been more not have been more wrong when he finally entered the city wrong when he finally entered the city wrong when he finally entered the city Galo was a feared and hated man Galo was a feared and hated man Galo was a feared and hated man after just a few months in office he was after just a few months in office he was after just a few months in office he was so thoroughly despised that it's a so thoroughly despised that it's a so thoroughly despised that it's a wonder he even lasted into the middle of January it's not that Galo wasn't trying January it's not that Galo wasn't trying it was just that he had the political it was just that he had the political it was just that he had the political instincts of a leming and couldn't stop instincts of a leming and couldn't stop instincts of a leming and couldn't stop running headlong over the nearest running headlong over the nearest running headlong over the nearest cliff the one and only major issue he

cliff the one and only major issue he cliff the one and only major issue he tackled during his Reign was trying to tackled during his Reign was trying to tackled during his Reign was trying to clean up the Empire's finances and he clean up the Empire's finances and he clean up the Empire's finances and he bungled that so badly that even his most bungled that so badly that even his most bungled that so badly that even his most Ardent supporters conceded that Galo was Ardent supporters conceded that Galo was Ardent supporters conceded that Galo was not well suited for his new not well suited for his new not well suited for his new position nuro had left an enormous position nuro had left an enormous position nuro had left an enormous Financial mess to clean up and the Financial mess to clean up and the Financial mess to clean up and the people likely would have given galba the people likely would have given galba the people likely would have given galba the benefit of the doubt as he tried to Wade benefit of the doubt as he tried to Wade benefit of the doubt as he tried to Wade through it all but the new emperor through it all but the new emperor through it all but the new emperor pursued such a toned deaf cleanup pursued such a toned deaf cleanup pursued such a toned deaf cleanup operation that whatever good will he had operation that whatever good will he had operation that whatever good will he had coming to him was immediately coming to him was immediately coming to him was immediately squandered though in the end squandered though in the end squandered though in the end responsibility for the majority of his responsibility for the majority of his responsibility for the majority of his ill-advised plans has been laid squarely ill-advised plans has been laid squarely ill-advised plans has been laid squarely at the feet of the three pedagogues the at the feet of the three pedagogues the at the feet of the three pedagogues the buck as they say stopped with GBA at the buck as they say stopped with GBA at the buck as they say stopped with GBA at the time taking their first look at the time taking their first look at the time taking their first look at the official books aalba and his advisers official books aalba and his advisers official books aalba and his advisers quickly understood the severity of the quickly understood the severity of the quickly understood the severity of the situation nuro had effectively cleaned situation nuro had effectively cleaned situation nuro had effectively cleaned out the state reserves and left the out the state reserves and left the out the state reserves and left the Empire essentially broke knowing that Empire essentially broke knowing that Empire essentially broke knowing that the vast majority of the funds had been the vast majority of the funds had been the vast majority of the funds had been spent either building the Golden Palace spent either building the Golden Palace spent either building the Golden Palace or been handed out to court favoris its or been handed out to court favoris its or been handed out to court favoris its gifts galba decided to Simply recover gifts galba decided to Simply recover gifts galba decided to Simply recover the dispersed funds but as the treasury the dispersed funds but as the treasury the dispersed funds but as the treasury officials knocked on doors looking for officials knocked on doors looking for officials knocked on doors looking for to the money it became clear that most to the money it became clear that most to the money it became clear that most of it had already been spent by those of it had already been spent by those of it had already been spent by those who had received it in many cases the who had received it in many cases the who had received it in many cases the money had been spent on a variety of money had been spent on a variety of money had been spent on a variety of gifts that the court favorites had gifts that the court favorites had gifts that the court favorites had issued to clients as part of the issued to clients as part of the issued to clients as part of the patronage system that defined Roman patronage system that defined Roman patronage system that defined Roman political life so while the money itself political life so while the money itself political life so while the money itself quickly became untraceable the purchased quickly became untraceable the purchased quickly became untraceable the purchased items themselves were cataloged and

items themselves were cataloged and items themselves were cataloged and pursued by the treasury officials pursued by the treasury officials pursued by the treasury officials galba's officers soon found themselves galba's officers soon found themselves galba's officers soon found themselves ordered to seize property from families ordered to seize property from families ordered to seize property from families who had acquired the goods questioned who had acquired the goods questioned who had acquired the goods questioned blamelessly thus rather than coming down blamelessly thus rather than coming down blamelessly thus rather than coming down hard on Nero's old accomplices the hard on Nero's old accomplices the hard on Nero's old accomplices the burden was borne by men only burden was borne by men only burden was borne by men only tangentially related to the emperor's tangentially related to the emperor's tangentially related to the emperor's excesses this as you can imagine was not excesses this as you can imagine was not excesses this as you can imagine was not a very popular a very popular a very popular policy the larger plan was to auction policy the larger plan was to auction policy the larger plan was to auction off the Seas property to re ra the cash off the Seas property to re ra the cash off the Seas property to re ra the cash that had been lost but with so much that had been lost but with so much that had been lost but with so much economic uncertainty even if they could economic uncertainty even if they could economic uncertainty even if they could afford to no one wanted to bid on the afford to no one wanted to bid on the afford to no one wanted to bid on the seized items and the auction raised next seized items and the auction raised next seized items and the auction raised next to nothing to nothing to nothing to make matters worse the two men who to make matters worse the two men who to make matters worse the two men who made out best in the auctions were vinas made out best in the auctions were vinas made out best in the auctions were vinas and IIs who picked up all manner of and IIs who picked up all manner of and IIs who picked up all manner of property for pennies on the dollar this property for pennies on the dollar this property for pennies on the dollar this only reinforced the idea that the whole only reinforced the idea that the whole only reinforced the idea that the whole operation had been masterminded by operation had been masterminded by operation had been masterminded by galba's fish advisers who control the galba's fish advisers who control the galba's fish advisers who control the scen old fool completely don't you know scen old fool completely don't you know scen old fool completely don't you know to make themselves Rich at everyone to make themselves Rich at everyone to make themselves Rich at everyone else's expense the whole thing was a else's expense the whole thing was a else's expense the whole thing was a public relations nightmare but galba public relations nightmare but galba public relations nightmare but galba either didn't understand how much ill either didn't understand how much ill either didn't understand how much ill will he was stirring up or he simp will he was stirring up or he simp will he was stirring up or he simp simply didn't simply didn't simply didn't care the topper to all this was that care the topper to all this was that care the topper to all this was that while the new Imperial Administration while the new Imperial Administration while the new Imperial Administration was running around seizing everyone's was running around seizing everyone's was running around seizing everyone's property and auctioning it off to itself property and auctioning it off to itself property and auctioning it off to itself Galo was announcing that there was not Galo was announcing that there was not Galo was announcing that there was not enough money to restore the free grain enough money to restore the free grain enough money to restore the free grain allotments that had been suspended by allotments that had been suspended by allotments that had been suspended by Nero following the great Nero following the great Nero following the great fire the shuttering of the grain fire the shuttering of the grain fire the shuttering of the grain allotments had been a grievance the poor allotments had been a grievance the poor allotments had been a grievance the poor had been nursing for the last few years

had been nursing for the last few years had been nursing for the last few years and with Nero now gone they fully and with Nero now gone they fully and with Nero now gone they fully expected galba to get the grain flowing expected galba to get the grain flowing expected galba to get the grain flowing again this one punch left the new again this one punch left the new again this one punch left the new emperor virtually friendless the upper emperor virtually friendless the upper emperor virtually friendless the upper and middle classes hated him for and middle classes hated him for and middle classes hated him for arbitrarily seizing their legally arbitrarily seizing their legally arbitrarily seizing their legally obtained property while the lower obtained property while the lower obtained property while the lower classes hated him for denying the free classes hated him for denying the free classes hated him for denying the free grain allotment having already alienated grain allotment having already alienated grain allotment having already alienated most of the legions with his most of the legions with his most of the legions with his heavy-handed discipline especially the heavy-handed discipline especially the heavy-handed discipline especially the legions on the rine which we'll cover in legions on the rine which we'll cover in legions on the rine which we'll cover in Greater detail next week galba was fast Greater detail next week galba was fast Greater detail next week galba was fast running out of allies but at least he running out of allies but at least he running out of allies but at least he still had the pretorians on his side as still had the pretorians on his side as still had the pretorians on his side as long as an emperor has that final line long as an emperor has that final line long as an emperor has that final line of prote ction there's little anyone can of prote ction there's little anyone can of prote ction there's little anyone can do to stop him from doing whatever he do to stop him from doing whatever he do to stop him from doing whatever he wants oh what's that you say the wants oh what's that you say the wants oh what's that you say the priorians were actually among the first priorians were actually among the first priorians were actually among the first to get super ticked off at galba well I to get super ticked off at galba well I to get super ticked off at galba well I guess he's in real trouble then guess he's in real trouble then guess he's in real trouble then huh the problem with the pretorians as I huh the problem with the pretorians as I huh the problem with the pretorians as I mention was that earlier in the year mention was that earlier in the year mention was that earlier in the year nidus sabinus had promised them a huge nidus sabinus had promised them a huge nidus sabinus had promised them a huge payout if they abandoned Nero and back payout if they abandoned Nero and back payout if they abandoned Nero and back galba but of course galba had never galba but of course galba had never galba but of course galba had never authorized such a promise and never in a authorized such a promise and never in a authorized such a promise and never in a million years would have paid what was million years would have paid what was million years would have paid what was in effect a massive bre in effect a massive bre in effect a massive bre tribe as I said in episode 68 galba tribe as I said in episode 68 galba tribe as I said in episode 68 galba believed in the chain of command almost believed in the chain of command almost believed in the chain of command almost to a fault a commander did not purchase to a fault a commander did not purchase to a fault a commander did not purchase the Loyalty of his troops he commanded the Loyalty of his troops he commanded the Loyalty of his troops he commanded and they obeyed period but even and they obeyed period but even and they obeyed period but even discarding the specific promises made by discarding the specific promises made by discarding the specific promises made by sabinus galba's decision not to pay out sabinus galba's decision not to pay out sabinus galba's decision not to pay out a donative to the pretorians upon his a donative to the pretorians upon his a donative to the pretorians upon his Ascension broke with an accepted Ascension broke with an accepted Ascension broke with an accepted practice that dated back to tiberias it

practice that dated back to tiberias it practice that dated back to tiberias it was considered a Goodwill gesture to get was considered a Goodwill gesture to get was considered a Goodwill gesture to get the new Administration off on the right the new Administration off on the right the new Administration off on the right foot galba though not only refused to foot galba though not only refused to foot galba though not only refused to pay the sum promised by sabinus but he pay the sum promised by sabinus but he pay the sum promised by sabinus but he refused to pay any sum at all the refused to pay any sum at all the refused to pay any sum at all the pretorians were incensed at being denied pretorians were incensed at being denied pretorians were incensed at being denied what they considered to be their what they considered to be their what they considered to be their rightful payout but galba refused to rightful payout but galba refused to rightful payout but galba refused to reconsider his reconsider his reconsider his position that may have been the way the position that may have been the way the position that may have been the way the juli claudians operated but the juli juli claudians operated but the juli juli claudians operated but the juli claudians were dead and gone galba was claudians were dead and gone galba was claudians were dead and gone galba was intent on founding a new Dynasty one intent on founding a new Dynasty one intent on founding a new Dynasty one based on honor and Duty not crash based on honor and Duty not crash based on honor and Duty not crash self-interest and purchase just self-interest and purchase just self-interest and purchase just loyalty which brings us to the last loyalty which brings us to the last loyalty which brings us to the last decision Galo would make as Emperor one decision Galo would make as Emperor one decision Galo would make as Emperor one old man does not a dynasty make from the old man does not a dynasty make from the old man does not a dynasty make from the moment the childless galba had been moment the childless galba had been moment the childless galba had been declared Caesar the question on declared Caesar the question on declared Caesar the question on everybody's mind was who he would choose everybody's mind was who he would choose everybody's mind was who he would choose to be his Heir and to be his Heir and to be his Heir and successor every semi- influential man of successor every semi- influential man of successor every semi- influential man of senatorial rank believed that he senatorial rank believed that he senatorial rank believed that he deserved the prize but one man above all deserved the prize but one man above all deserved the prize but one man above all the others was really super convinced the others was really super convinced the others was really super convinced that he was going to get the nod Marcus that he was going to get the nod Marcus that he was going to get the nod Marcus salvus salvus salvus oo having supported galba from the oo having supported galba from the oo having supported galba from the beginning and having accompanied the new beginning and having accompanied the new beginning and having accompanied the new emperor on his march to Rome oo was emperor on his march to Rome oo was emperor on his march to Rome oo was already making plans for what he would already making plans for what he would already making plans for what he would do once he became do once he became do once he became emperor as I mentioned a few episodes emperor as I mentioned a few episodes emperor as I mentioned a few episodes ago adding to oo's confidence was a ago adding to oo's confidence was a ago adding to oo's confidence was a recently taken astrological forecast recently taken astrological forecast recently taken astrological forecast that basically said Galo will soon be that basically said Galo will soon be that basically said Galo will soon be dead and you will succeed him plus on a dead and you will succeed him plus on a dead and you will succeed him plus on a less abstract level oo had made a deal

less abstract level oo had made a deal less abstract level oo had made a deal with vinas that locked the influential with vinas that locked the influential with vinas that locked the influential adviser into backing oo's bid in adviser into backing oo's bid in adviser into backing oo's bid in exchange for oo marrying Venus's sister exchange for oo marrying Venus's sister exchange for oo marrying Venus's sister once the adoption went once the adoption went once the adoption went through but as 68 became 69 ad galba through but as 68 became 69 ad galba through but as 68 became 69 ad galba still had not made up his mind reports still had not made up his mind reports still had not made up his mind reports started coming in that there was some started coming in that there was some started coming in that there was some unrest within the legions on the Rind unrest within the legions on the Rind unrest within the legions on the Rind and that possibly they were in full and that possibly they were in full and that possibly they were in full Revolt probably nothing to worry about Revolt probably nothing to worry about Revolt probably nothing to worry about the same thing had happened when the same thing had happened when the same thing had happened when tyberius had ascended to the Throne all tyberius had ascended to the Throne all tyberius had ascended to the Throne all tiberias had to do was send his son out tiberias had to do was send his son out tiberias had to do was send his son out to talk some sense into them so maybe to talk some sense into them so maybe to talk some sense into them so maybe galba should just oh wait the old man galba should just oh wait the old man galba should just oh wait the old man still hasn't chosen a successor still hasn't chosen a successor still hasn't chosen a successor yet galba had been taking his time with yet galba had been taking his time with yet galba had been taking his time with the decision to make sure he got it the decision to make sure he got it the decision to make sure he got it right or possibly because with right or possibly because with right or possibly because with everything else that was going on he everything else that was going on he everything else that was going on he simply didn't have the time or energy to simply didn't have the time or energy to simply didn't have the time or energy to focus on the issue of succession but focus on the issue of succession but focus on the issue of succession but when word came that the legions on the when word came that the legions on the when word came that the legions on the Rind were in full Mutiny galba decided Rind were in full Mutiny galba decided Rind were in full Mutiny galba decided that he needed to reassure the Empire that he needed to reassure the Empire that he needed to reassure the Empire that the center of power was and would that the center of power was and would that the center of power was and would remain in Rome not in the legionary remain in Rome not in the legionary remain in Rome not in the legionary camps on the Rine camps on the Rine camps on the Rine behind closed doors he met with his behind closed doors he met with his behind closed doors he met with his advisers vinas of course argued in favor advisers vinas of course argued in favor advisers vinas of course argued in favor of oo while aelius and Leo backed a man of oo while aelius and Leo backed a man of oo while aelius and Leo backed a man named Cornelius named Cornelius named Cornelius dorabella but this seems to be one of dorabella but this seems to be one of dorabella but this seems to be one of the few occasions that galba acted on the few occasions that galba acted on the few occasions that galba acted on his own and dissatisfied with both his own and dissatisfied with both his own and dissatisfied with both candidates he announced that he would be candidates he announced that he would be candidates he announced that he would be adopting a man named Lucius calpernius adopting a man named Lucius calpernius adopting a man named Lucius calpernius piso a man of impeccable breeding who piso a man of impeccable breeding who piso a man of impeccable breeding who had spent the majority of Nero reign in had spent the majority of Nero reign in had spent the majority of Nero reign in Exile and had only recently been Exile and had only recently been Exile and had only recently been recalled to recalled to recalled to Rome piso was brought into the meeting

Rome piso was brought into the meeting Rome piso was brought into the meeting and informed that he was now officially and informed that he was now officially and informed that he was now officially the heir of galba the three pedagogues the heir of galba the three pedagogues the heir of galba the three pedagogues were shocked and annoyed when piso took were shocked and annoyed when piso took were shocked and annoyed when piso took the announcement in calm stride clearly the announcement in calm stride clearly the announcement in calm stride clearly aiso was not himself a power hungry man aiso was not himself a power hungry man aiso was not himself a power hungry man and they didn't much like the idea of and they didn't much like the idea of and they didn't much like the idea of having to serve someone who lacked the having to serve someone who lacked the having to serve someone who lacked the kind of avarice and ambition they could kind of avarice and ambition they could kind of avarice and ambition they could really exploit bad for business you really exploit bad for business you really exploit bad for business you know when galba made his decision public know when galba made his decision public know when galba made his decision public it is important to note that he did not it is important to note that he did not it is important to note that he did not make his speech to the senate or to Mass make his speech to the senate or to Mass make his speech to the senate or to Mass Gathering of the people but rather to a Gathering of the people but rather to a Gathering of the people but rather to a hastily called meeting of the petorian hastily called meeting of the petorian hastily called meeting of the petorian Guard galba apparently thought that this Guard galba apparently thought that this Guard galba apparently thought that this deference to the guard would make up for deference to the guard would make up for deference to the guard would make up for the missing donative that he had never the missing donative that he had never the missing donative that he had never paid but the short speech introducing paid but the short speech introducing paid but the short speech introducing piso which Gala gave on January 10 went piso which Gala gave on January 10 went piso which Gala gave on January 10 went over like a lead balloon there was still over like a lead balloon there was still over like a lead balloon there was still no word on the missing bonus which the no word on the missing bonus which the no word on the missing bonus which the guard had not forgotten and adding guard had not forgotten and adding guard had not forgotten and adding insult to injury there was no talk of insult to injury there was no talk of insult to injury there was no talk of the additional bonus which usually the additional bonus which usually the additional bonus which usually accompanied births weddings adop accompanied births weddings adop accompanied births weddings adop adoptions and other happy adoptions and other happy adoptions and other happy occasions on top of all that oo had been occasions on top of all that oo had been occasions on top of all that oo had been making the rounds within the petorian making the rounds within the petorian making the rounds within the petorian for months gaining their trust and for months gaining their trust and for months gaining their trust and confidence by dispersing huge sums of confidence by dispersing huge sums of confidence by dispersing huge sums of cash and hinting that there would be cash and hinting that there would be cash and hinting that there would be more where that came from once he more where that came from once he more where that came from once he finally became The Heir Apparent so finally became The Heir Apparent so finally became The Heir Apparent so everyone was expecting generous and everyone was expecting generous and everyone was expecting generous and charismatic oo and what they got was a charismatic oo and what they got was a charismatic oo and what they got was a humorless Exile who seemed no more humorless Exile who seemed no more humorless Exile who seemed no more inclined to buy their love than galba inclined to buy their love than galba inclined to buy their love than galba needless to say the cheers greeting the needless to say the cheers greeting the needless to say the cheers greeting the arrival of piso were were less than

enthusiastic when oo found out he had enthusiastic when oo found out he had been passed over he was livid so livid been passed over he was livid so livid been passed over he was livid so livid in fact that he quickly gave himself in fact that he quickly gave himself in fact that he quickly gave himself over to a murderous rage that came over to a murderous rage that came over to a murderous rage that came boiling up to the surface he was boiling up to the surface he was boiling up to the surface he was embarrassed and he was angry but more embarrassed and he was angry but more embarrassed and he was angry but more than that he was deeply in debt and had than that he was deeply in debt and had than that he was deeply in debt and had been borrowing heavily against the been borrowing heavily against the been borrowing heavily against the understanding that he would soon be understanding that he would soon be understanding that he would soon be galba's Heir and eventually emperor in galba's Heir and eventually emperor in galba's Heir and eventually emperor in his own right the minute oo found out he his own right the minute oo found out he his own right the minute oo found out he was not going to be the air was the was not going to be the air was the was not going to be the air was the minute oo realized that his many many minute oo realized that his many many minute oo realized that his many many creditors would soon be beating down his creditors would soon be beating down his creditors would soon be beating down his door oo himself is reported to have door oo himself is reported to have door oo himself is reported to have joked Darkly that unless he became joked Darkly that unless he became joked Darkly that unless he became emperor it would not matter whether he emperor it would not matter whether he emperor it would not matter whether he was found by his enemies on the was found by his enemies on the was found by his enemies on the battlefield or found by his creditors in battlefield or found by his creditors in battlefield or found by his creditors in the Forum the result would be the same the Forum the result would be the same the Forum the result would be the same his life passing before his eyes oo his life passing before his eyes oo his life passing before his eyes oo turned to Extreme Measures and turned to Extreme Measures and turned to Extreme Measures and immediately began plotting to immediately began plotting to immediately began plotting to assassinate both galba and assassinate both galba and assassinate both galba and piso with the last few dollars he could piso with the last few dollars he could piso with the last few dollars he could scrape together oo purchased the service scrape together oo purchased the service scrape together oo purchased the service of 23 petorian of 23 petorian of 23 petorian Guardsmen tacitus mentions that had Guardsmen tacitus mentions that had Guardsmen tacitus mentions that had galba even given a perfunctory sum to galba even given a perfunctory sum to galba even given a perfunctory sum to the guard upon his Ascension it is the guard upon his Ascension it is the guard upon his Ascension it is unlikely that any of them would have unlikely that any of them would have unlikely that any of them would have turned so readily but that ship had now turned so readily but that ship had now turned so readily but that ship had now sailed oo came with money and Promises sailed oo came with money and Promises sailed oo came with money and Promises whereas galba had shown himself whereas galba had shown himself whereas galba had shown himself disdainful of disdainful of disdainful of both knowing that they had to act fast both knowing that they had to act fast both knowing that they had to act fast to avoid Discovery the conspirators were to avoid Discovery the conspirators were to avoid Discovery the conspirators were ready to go on January 15th ready to go on January 15th ready to go on January 15th just 5 days after the introduction of just 5 days after the introduction of just 5 days after the introduction of piso that morning oo along with the rest

piso that morning oo along with the rest piso that morning oo along with the rest of the Senate paid their respects to of the Senate paid their respects to of the Senate paid their respects to galba at a religious ceremony held at galba at a religious ceremony held at galba at a religious ceremony held at the Temple of Apollo adjacent to the the Temple of Apollo adjacent to the the Temple of Apollo adjacent to the Imperial Imperial Imperial Palace at the arranged hour an Palace at the arranged hour an Palace at the arranged hour an accomplice fetched oo from the accomplice fetched oo from the accomplice fetched oo from the proceedings with the cover story that a proceedings with the cover story that a proceedings with the cover story that a realator needed to talk to him about a realator needed to talk to him about a realator needed to talk to him about a potential home sale oo left the ceremony potential home sale oo left the ceremony potential home sale oo left the ceremony and hurried to meet his accomplices in and hurried to meet his accomplices in and hurried to meet his accomplices in the Forum with the rest of the ruling the Forum with the rest of the ruling the Forum with the rest of the ruling class occupied with galba class occupied with galba class occupied with galba oo rushed the petorian oo rushed the petorian oo rushed the petorian camp the conspirators pushed their way camp the conspirators pushed their way camp the conspirators pushed their way past the camp gatekeeper and called for past the camp gatekeeper and called for past the camp gatekeeper and called for the pretorians to muster so oo could the pretorians to muster so oo could the pretorians to muster so oo could address them the officers were wary of address them the officers were wary of address them the officers were wary of what was unfolding but the common what was unfolding but the common what was unfolding but the common soldiers were eager to hear what oo had soldiers were eager to hear what oo had soldiers were eager to hear what oo had to to to say playing up their every grievance oo say playing up their every grievance oo say playing up their every grievance oo reminded them of the disrespect galba reminded them of the disrespect galba reminded them of the disrespect galba had repeatedly shown not just to them had repeatedly shown not just to them had repeatedly shown not just to them but to every common Soldier he had ever but to every common Soldier he had ever but to every common Soldier he had ever LED oo assured his audience that all the LED oo assured his audience that all the LED oo assured his audience that all the provincial Legions hated galba and that provincial Legions hated galba and that provincial Legions hated galba and that the Senate and people of Rome both would the Senate and people of Rome both would the Senate and people of Rome both would gladly be rid of the mean old man if gladly be rid of the mean old man if gladly be rid of the mean old man if only someone would act in their name only someone would act in their name only someone would act in their name there was no time to waste otho cried there was no time to waste otho cried there was no time to waste otho cried they must now right now strike a blow they must now right now strike a blow they must now right now strike a blow for the for the for the Empire having worked the soldiers into a Empire having worked the soldiers into a Empire having worked the soldiers into a frenzied mix of self-interest and Grand frenzied mix of self-interest and Grand frenzied mix of self-interest and Grand idealism oo ordered a cohort of Cavalry idealism oo ordered a cohort of Cavalry idealism oo ordered a cohort of Cavalry out of the camp to find the hated galba out of the camp to find the hated galba out of the camp to find the hated galba and kill and kill and kill him meanwhile the morning ceremony had him meanwhile the morning ceremony had him meanwhile the morning ceremony had wrapped up and Galo was getting down to wrapped up and Galo was getting down to wrapped up and Galo was getting down to the day's business when frantic word the day's business when frantic word the day's business when frantic word came of what was happening in the

came of what was happening in the came of what was happening in the petorian petorian petorian camp confusion reigned as rumor after camp confusion reigned as rumor after camp confusion reigned as rumor after counter rumor poured into the palace at counter rumor poured into the palace at counter rumor poured into the palace at one point a soldier arrived and lying one point a soldier arrived and lying one point a soldier arrived and lying through his teeth for whatever reason through his teeth for whatever reason through his teeth for whatever reason announced that he had taken care of the announced that he had taken care of the announced that he had taken care of the situation by personally killing situation by personally killing situation by personally killing oo at this galba displayed his customary oo at this galba displayed his customary oo at this galba displayed his customary disdain for individual initiative rather disdain for individual initiative rather disdain for individual initiative rather than congratulating the soldier galba than congratulating the soldier galba than congratulating the soldier galba asked harshly who had ordered him to asked harshly who had ordered him to asked harshly who had ordered him to kill kill kill oo unsure though now of whether oo was oo unsure though now of whether oo was oo unsure though now of whether oo was dead or alive a heated debate between dead or alive a heated debate between dead or alive a heated debate between galba's advisers ensued on whether to galba's advisers ensued on whether to galba's advisers ensued on whether to lock down the palace and hole up or ride lock down the palace and hole up or ride lock down the palace and hole up or ride out to meet this treasonous challenge to out to meet this treasonous challenge to out to meet this treasonous challenge to Imperial Authority galba finally settled Imperial Authority galba finally settled Imperial Authority galba finally settled on the lad course Dawning a breastplate on the lad course Dawning a breastplate on the lad course Dawning a breastplate he climbed in his Imperial litter and he climbed in his Imperial litter and he climbed in his Imperial litter and was carried out into the forum was carried out into the forum was carried out into the forum accompanied by a collection of accompanied by a collection of accompanied by a collection of bodyguards the three pedagogues and his bodyguards the three pedagogues and his bodyguards the three pedagogues and his adopted son on adopted son on adopted son on piso before he could make it to the piso before he could make it to the piso before he could make it to the petorian camp though Galo was met by the petorian camp though Galo was met by the petorian camp though Galo was met by the charging charging charging cavalrymen no one knew how dire the cavalrymen no one knew how dire the cavalrymen no one knew how dire the situation really was until the Cavalry situation really was until the Cavalry situation really was until the Cavalry ignored all calls to Halt and simply ignored all calls to Halt and simply ignored all calls to Halt and simply charged headlong into galba's party the charged headlong into galba's party the charged headlong into galba's party the litter was knocked to the ground and litter was knocked to the ground and litter was knocked to the ground and before galba could rise he was stabbed before galba could rise he was stabbed before galba could rise he was stabbed to to to death Leo and IIs managed to flee but death Leo and IIs managed to flee but death Leo and IIs managed to flee but vinas was caught and killed despite his vinas was caught and killed despite his vinas was caught and killed despite his protests possibly indicating his protests possibly indicating his protests possibly indicating his complicity in the plot that oo had not complicity in the plot that oo had not complicity in the plot that oo had not ordered his ordered his ordered his death piso also managed to flee the death piso also managed to flee the death piso also managed to flee the scene but was cornered in the temple of

scene but was cornered in the temple of scene but was cornered in the temple of the Vestas and killed the heads of both the Vestas and killed the heads of both the Vestas and killed the heads of both galba and piso were delivered to oo who galba and piso were delivered to oo who galba and piso were delivered to oo who allowed them to be kicked around for allowed them to be kicked around for allowed them to be kicked around for sport by the soldiers now under his command Galo was murdered at the age of command Galo was murdered at the age of 70 having served his Emperor for just 70 having served his Emperor for just 70 having served his Emperor for just over 7 months by far the shortest tenure over 7 months by far the shortest tenure over 7 months by far the shortest tenure in office since the Inception of the in office since the Inception of the in office since the Inception of the principate principate principate it was a record however that would not it was a record however that would not it was a record however that would not last long oo who would accept the title last long oo who would accept the title last long oo who would accept the title of both Caesar and Augustus after they of both Caesar and Augustus after they of both Caesar and Augustus after they were foisted upon him by the petorian were foisted upon him by the petorian were foisted upon him by the petorian and then confirmed by the Senate within and then confirmed by the Senate within and then confirmed by the Senate within hours of the quep would wind up wearing hours of the quep would wind up wearing hours of the quep would wind up wearing the purple for half that long on April the purple for half that long on April the purple for half that long on April 15 just 3 months after taking office oo 15 just 3 months after taking office oo 15 just 3 months after taking office oo would commit suicide in his tent after would commit suicide in his tent after would commit suicide in his tent after being defeated by vellus is invading Ry being defeated by vellus is invading Ry being defeated by vellus is invading Ry Legions next week we will get into how Legions next week we will get into how Legions next week we will get into how vellus one of the most unlikely vellus one of the most unlikely vellus one of the most unlikely candidates for emperor in Roman history candidates for emperor in Roman history candidates for emperor in Roman history found himself leading the Western Empire found himself leading the Western Empire found himself leading the Western Empire in Revolt and what oo did in the few in Revolt and what oo did in the few in Revolt and what oo did in the few months he reigned to try to stamp it months he reigned to try to stamp it months he reigned to try to stamp it out I will close this week by extending out I will close this week by extending out I will close this week by extending my deep deep appreciation for all the my deep deep appreciation for all the my deep deep appreciation for all the donations that have come in over the donations that have come in over the donations that have come in over the last few weeks you guys are amazing the last few weeks you guys are amazing the last few weeks you guys are amazing the now miss history of Roman I are blown now miss history of Roman I are blown now miss history of Roman I are blown away by your generosity so thank you away by your generosity so thank you away by your generosity so thank you thank you very very much thank you very very much thank you very very much [Music]

hello and welcome to the history of hello and welcome to the history of Rome episode 71 oo and Rome episode 71 oo and Rome episode 71 oo and vitellius on January 15 69 ad oo vitellius on January 15 69 ad oo vitellius on January 15 69 ad oo assassinated galba and fulfilled the assassinated galba and fulfilled the assassinated galba and fulfilled the prophecy that had been driving the young prophecy that had been driving the young prophecy that had been driving the young Aristocrat for the past few months that Aristocrat for the past few months that Aristocrat for the past few months that Galo would soon be dead and oo would Galo would soon be dead and oo would Galo would soon be dead and oo would succeed him of course oo had been succeed him of course oo had been succeed him of course oo had been working under the assumption that the working under the assumption that the working under the assumption that the prophecy meant gabble would adopt him prophecy meant gabble would adopt him prophecy meant gabble would adopt him and he would Ascend to the throne and he would Ascend to the throne and he would Ascend to the throne legitimately but having been passed over legitimately but having been passed over legitimately but having been passed over for adoption oo fulfilled the prophecy for adoption oo fulfilled the prophecy for adoption oo fulfilled the prophecy by other means violent illegitimate by other means violent illegitimate by other means violent illegitimate means oo however was not the only one means oo however was not the only one means oo however was not the only one who had an eye on the throne nor the who had an eye on the throne nor the who had an eye on the throne nor the only one who was willing to go to only one who was willing to go to only one who was willing to go to Violent illegitimate lengths to seize Violent illegitimate lengths to seize Violent illegitimate lengths to seize it in the weeks leading up to his death it in the weeks leading up to his death it in the weeks leading up to his death galba had been receiving reports that galba had been receiving reports that galba had been receiving reports that the legions on the rine ostensibly led the legions on the rine ostensibly led the legions on the rine ostensibly led by vitellus were in full Revolt in by vitellus were in full Revolt in by vitellus were in full Revolt in public galba downplayed the danger and public galba downplayed the danger and public galba downplayed the danger and brushed aside worries that something was brushed aside worries that something was brushed aside worries that something was seriously a Miss in the North but when seriously a Miss in the North but when seriously a Miss in the North but when oo finally claimed his prize and became oo finally claimed his prize and became oo finally claimed his prize and became the supreme ruler of the Roman Empire he the supreme ruler of the Roman Empire he the supreme ruler of the Roman Empire he discovered that it was not a unified discovered that it was not a unified discovered that it was not a unified State he inherited Not only was the State he inherited Not only was the State he inherited Not only was the Revolt along the rine much more serious Revolt along the rine much more serious Revolt along the rine much more serious than anyone thought it would prove to be than anyone thought it would prove to be than anyone thought it would prove to be the only issue otho would deal with his the only issue otho would deal with his the only issue otho would deal with his Emperor whatever plans he had and Emperor whatever plans he had and Emperor whatever plans he had and whatever dreams he dreamed for the rest whatever dreams he dreamed for the rest whatever dreams he dreamed for the rest of his short life oo would be consumed of his short life oo would be consumed of his short life oo would be consumed with beating back the Insurrection in with beating back the Insurrection in with beating back the Insurrection in the north and ultimately wind up dying the north and ultimately wind up dying the north and ultimately wind up dying in the in the in the attempt oo had apparently been so attempt oo had apparently been so attempt oo had apparently been so focused on asking the prophets when he

focused on asking the prophets when he focused on asking the prophets when he would be emperor that he forgot to ask would be emperor that he forgot to ask would be emperor that he forgot to ask them for how long he would be Emperor them for how long he would be Emperor them for how long he would be Emperor because the answer would have been not because the answer would have been not because the answer would have been not very long and maybe then he would have very long and maybe then he would have very long and maybe then he would have thought twice about the whole thought twice about the whole thought twice about the whole project the funny thing is that the project the funny thing is that the project the funny thing is that the Revolt that would eventually take oo Revolt that would eventually take oo Revolt that would eventually take oo down had nothing to do with oo himself down had nothing to do with oo himself down had nothing to do with oo himself it was actually a revolt against galba it was actually a revolt against galba it was actually a revolt against galba but when word came North that galba was but when word came North that galba was but when word came North that galba was dead well everyone was so revved up dead well everyone was so revved up dead well everyone was so revved up already that the treasonous event already that the treasonous event already that the treasonous event horizon was now in the rearview mirror horizon was now in the rearview mirror horizon was now in the rearview mirror nothing less than total capitulation on nothing less than total capitulation on nothing less than total capitulation on oo's part would have averted their oo's part would have averted their oo's part would have averted their planned invasion of planned invasion of planned invasion of Italy along the rine the rebellious pot Italy along the rine the rebellious pot Italy along the rine the rebellious pot started boiling in the wake of vindex started boiling in the wake of vindex started boiling in the wake of vindex Revolt as you know virginius Rufus Revolt as you know virginius Rufus Revolt as you know virginius Rufus leading the legions on the upper rine leading the legions on the upper rine leading the legions on the upper rine put down the revolt and then refused his put down the revolt and then refused his put down the revolt and then refused his troops offer to declare him troops offer to declare him troops offer to declare him emperator the Ryan Legions went back to emperator the Ryan Legions went back to emperator the Ryan Legions went back to their camps and continued their nominal their camps and continued their nominal their camps and continued their nominal support of Nero at the behest of their support of Nero at the behest of their support of Nero at the behest of their obviously popular Commander however when obviously popular Commander however when obviously popular Commander however when galba came to power things began to get galba came to power things began to get galba came to power things began to get ugly for one thing galba had obviously ugly for one thing galba had obviously ugly for one thing galba had obviously been on the side of vindex even if he been on the side of vindex even if he been on the side of vindex even if he had never come to the latter's aid so had never come to the latter's aid so had never come to the latter's aid so when he marched through Gaul on his way when he marched through Gaul on his way when he marched through Gaul on his way from Spain to Italy galba went out of from Spain to Italy galba went out of from Spain to Italy galba went out of his way to praise and reward the local his way to praise and reward the local his way to praise and reward the local tribes that had risen up along with tribes that had risen up along with tribes that had risen up along with vindex this support came at the expense vindex this support came at the expense vindex this support came at the expense of the tribes that had fought with the of the tribes that had fought with the of the tribes that had fought with the Ry Legions against the Ry Legions against the Ry Legions against the Insurrection galba then compounded this Insurrection galba then compounded this Insurrection galba then compounded this slight by IGN in the r soldiers slight by IGN in the r soldiers slight by IGN in the r soldiers themselves when it came to doing out themselves when it came to doing out themselves when it came to doing out honors and rewards he did not punish any

honors and rewards he did not punish any honors and rewards he did not punish any of them but it was clear that Galo was of them but it was clear that Galo was of them but it was clear that Galo was stiffing them on his way into office stiffing them on his way into office stiffing them on his way into office when The Local auxiliaries and camped when The Local auxiliaries and camped when The Local auxiliaries and camped legionnaires got together and compared legionnaires got together and compared legionnaires got together and compared notes they discovered that for the high notes they discovered that for the high notes they discovered that for the high crime of doing their Duty they had all crime of doing their Duty they had all crime of doing their Duty they had all been given the shaft this coupled with been given the shaft this coupled with been given the shaft this coupled with galba's lingering reputation in the galba's lingering reputation in the galba's lingering reputation in the region from his tour there during region from his tour there during region from his tour there during Caligula's Reign meant that it was only Caligula's Reign meant that it was only Caligula's Reign meant that it was only with great difficulty that the commander with great difficulty that the commander with great difficulty that the commander were able to convince the men to accept were able to convince the men to accept were able to convince the men to accept galba as their legitimate galba as their legitimate galba as their legitimate Emperor but they never did accept galba Emperor but they never did accept galba Emperor but they never did accept galba in their hearts virginius was replaced in their hearts virginius was replaced in their hearts virginius was replaced by someone galba could trust a decision by someone galba could trust a decision by someone galba could trust a decision that only exacerbated the situation that only exacerbated the situation that only exacerbated the situation fontius capito the commander of the fontius capito the commander of the fontius capito the commander of the lower rind was soon implicated in a plot lower rind was soon implicated in a plot lower rind was soon implicated in a plot to overthrow galba and was killed by the to overthrow galba and was killed by the to overthrow galba and was killed by the two officers who discovered his two officers who discovered his two officers who discovered his treachery the assassination of capito is treachery the assassination of capito is treachery the assassination of capito is what led galba to Appo the totally what led galba to Appo the totally what led galba to Appo the totally harmless and utterly experience harmless and utterly experience harmless and utterly experience vitellius as a replacement presumably to vitellius as a replacement presumably to vitellius as a replacement presumably to prevent this sort of thing from prevent this sort of thing from prevent this sort of thing from happening again but the thing about the happening again but the thing about the happening again but the thing about the capito affair is that there is a great capito affair is that there is a great capito affair is that there is a great deal of plausible speculation that deal of plausible speculation that deal of plausible speculation that capito was not fermenting Revolution capito was not fermenting Revolution capito was not fermenting Revolution that instead he had refused to go along that instead he had refused to go along that instead he had refused to go along with the plot of the two officers who with the plot of the two officers who with the plot of the two officers who eventually killed him because one of eventually killed him because one of eventually killed him because one of those officers Fabius vein had a great those officers Fabius vein had a great those officers Fabius vein had a great deal to do with convincing the deal to do with convincing the deal to do with convincing the supposedly harmless vitellus that he supposedly harmless vitellus that he supposedly harmless vitellus that he could be Emperor and to lead the r could be Emperor and to lead the r could be Emperor and to lead the r armies in r the other major influence on vitellius the other major influence on vitellius was alus Kina who had served in Spain

was alus Kina who had served in Spain was alus Kina who had served in Spain and was an early supporter of galba as a and was an early supporter of galba as a and was an early supporter of galba as a reward he was able to skip a few places reward he was able to skip a few places reward he was able to skip a few places up the chain of command and was up the chain of command and was up the chain of command and was appointed legot of one of the legions on appointed legot of one of the legions on appointed legot of one of the legions on the upper rine but the young charismatic the upper rine but the young charismatic the upper rine but the young charismatic and well-liked kisina was also ambitious and well-liked kisina was also ambitious and well-liked kisina was also ambitious and greedy not long after taking up his and greedy not long after taking up his and greedy not long after taking up his new post he was accused of embezzling new post he was accused of embezzling new post he was accused of embezzling funds and had every reason to fear that funds and had every reason to fear that funds and had every reason to fear that old stick in the mud galba would soon old stick in the mud galba would soon old stick in the mud galba would soon strip him of his command or strip him of his command or strip him of his command or worse as eager and opportunist as the worse as eager and opportunist as the worse as eager and opportunist as the world has ever known Kina determined world has ever known Kina determined world has ever known Kina determined that the only way he was escaping his that the only way he was escaping his that the only way he was escaping his predicament in one piece was to stoke predicament in one piece was to stoke predicament in one piece was to stoke the resentment of the men under his the resentment of the men under his the resentment of the men under his command and hopefully convinced them command and hopefully convinced them command and hopefully convinced them that as the cream of the Roman Legions that as the cream of the Roman Legions that as the cream of the Roman Legions which everyone agreed they were that which everyone agreed they were that which everyone agreed they were that they deserved an emperor who showed them they deserved an emperor who showed them they deserved an emperor who showed them the proper the proper the proper respect kaisa's motivation then in respect kaisa's motivation then in respect kaisa's motivation then in leading A revolution is clear he was leading A revolution is clear he was leading A revolution is clear he was facing possible execution if galba facing possible execution if galba facing possible execution if galba remained Emperor vein's motivation remained Emperor vein's motivation remained Emperor vein's motivation though is far less clear and he seems to though is far less clear and he seems to though is far less clear and he seems to Simply Be An unscrupulous Commander Simply Be An unscrupulous Commander Simply Be An unscrupulous Commander nearing the end of an undistinguished nearing the end of an undistinguished nearing the end of an undistinguished career who felt that he had been treated career who felt that he had been treated career who felt that he had been treated badly by the new emperor and saw a badly by the new emperor and saw a badly by the new emperor and saw a chance to P Vault his way into power and chance to P Vault his way into power and chance to P Vault his way into power and relevancy perhaps it was simply a love relevancy perhaps it was simply a love relevancy perhaps it was simply a love of intrigue for Intrigue of intrigue for Intrigue of intrigue for Intrigue sake however it happened when the New sake however it happened when the New sake however it happened when the New Year came around both men were ready to Year came around both men were ready to Year came around both men were ready to throw off galba's so recently saddled throw off galba's so recently saddled throw off galba's so recently saddled Yol on the 1st of January the provincial on the 1st of January the provincial Legions renewed their solemn Oaths to Legions renewed their solemn Oaths to Legions renewed their solemn Oaths to protect and defend the empire for the

protect and defend the empire for the protect and defend the empire for the greater glory of the empire in whose greater glory of the empire in whose greater glory of the empire in whose name Yad y yada this is supposed to be a name Yad y yada this is supposed to be a name Yad y yada this is supposed to be a mere formality but at the prodding of mere formality but at the prodding of mere formality but at the prodding of kisina two Legions on the upper rind kisina two Legions on the upper rind kisina two Legions on the upper rind refused to reup their commitment despite refused to reup their commitment despite refused to reup their commitment despite the efforts of the few officers present the efforts of the few officers present the efforts of the few officers present who remained loyal to the emperor the who remained loyal to the emperor the who remained loyal to the emperor the mutinous soldiers toppled statues of mutinous soldiers toppled statues of mutinous soldiers toppled statues of galba brought in for the ceremony galba brought in for the ceremony galba brought in for the ceremony rather than swearing an oath to the rather than swearing an oath to the rather than swearing an oath to the emperor the men swore allegiance to the emperor the men swore allegiance to the emperor the men swore allegiance to the Senate and the people of Rome and Senate and the people of Rome and Senate and the people of Rome and declared their intention to overthrow declared their intention to overthrow declared their intention to overthrow the usurper galba for the sake of you the usurper galba for the sake of you the usurper galba for the sake of you know Liberty and stuff with this initial know Liberty and stuff with this initial know Liberty and stuff with this initial spark struck things happened spark struck things happened spark struck things happened fast situated in what is today cologne fast situated in what is today cologne fast situated in what is today cologne vitellius learned of the Mutiny but vitellius learned of the Mutiny but vitellius learned of the Mutiny but rather than immediately making rather than immediately making rather than immediately making preparations to put the clamp down on it preparations to put the clamp down on it preparations to put the clamp down on it as would have been expected he instead as would have been expected he instead as would have been expected he instead sent around word to his commanders that sent around word to his commanders that sent around word to his commanders that either they were going to have to March either they were going to have to March either they were going to have to March North and fight their comrades or join North and fight their comrades or join North and fight their comrades or join in the Mutiny themselves declare their in the Mutiny themselves declare their in the Mutiny themselves declare their own Emperor to take galba's own Emperor to take galba's own Emperor to take galba's place vein who had no doubt spent the place vein who had no doubt spent the place vein who had no doubt spent the last few months whispering in vitus's last few months whispering in vitus's last few months whispering in vitus's ear was the first Commander to arrive in ear was the first Commander to arrive in ear was the first Commander to arrive in Cologne with his decision he hailed Cologne with his decision he hailed Cologne with his decision he hailed vellus as emperator vellus accepted the vellus as emperator vellus accepted the vellus as emperator vellus accepted the salute and just like that the Revolt was salute and just like that the Revolt was salute and just like that the Revolt was Off to the Off to the Off to the Races by the second or 3rd of January Races by the second or 3rd of January Races by the second or 3rd of January all the legions on the Rind probably the all the legions on the Rind probably the all the legions on the Rind probably the most formidable fighting force in the most formidable fighting force in the most formidable fighting force in the Empire had committed themselves to war Empire had committed themselves to war Empire had committed themselves to war with with with galba except that they never would get galba except that they never would get galba except that they never would get their war with galba two weeks after

their war with galba two weeks after their war with galba two weeks after vitellus had been declared imperator by vitellus had been declared imperator by vitellus had been declared imperator by his men word came that galba had been his men word came that galba had been his men word came that galba had been assassinated and that oo was the new assassinated and that oo was the new assassinated and that oo was the new emperor but by this point events along emperor but by this point events along emperor but by this point events along the rine had gone Way Beyond Simple the rine had gone Way Beyond Simple the rine had gone Way Beyond Simple Revenge the commanders had the brass Revenge the commanders had the brass Revenge the commanders had the brass ring in their sights and their men saw ring in their sights and their men saw ring in their sights and their men saw no downside in moving forward until the no downside in moving forward until the no downside in moving forward until the whole empire was there to Gorge whole empire was there to Gorge whole empire was there to Gorge themselves on life in a legionary camp themselves on life in a legionary camp themselves on life in a legionary camp along the Rin River was no picnic so along the Rin River was no picnic so along the Rin River was no picnic so when they learned that the man who had when they learned that the man who had when they learned that the man who had got them all fired up in the first place got them all fired up in the first place got them all fired up in the first place was dead well unless oo planned to step was dead well unless oo planned to step was dead well unless oo planned to step aside in favor of vellus when they all aside in favor of vellus when they all aside in favor of vellus when they all arrived in Rome the new emperor was in arrived in Rome the new emperor was in arrived in Rome the new emperor was in the same place as the old Emperor namely the same place as the old Emperor namely the same place as the old Emperor namely in their in their in their way back in Rome oo arrived at the way back in Rome oo arrived at the way back in Rome oo arrived at the palace following his coup and began palace following his coup and began palace following his coup and began running through Galas personal running through Galas personal running through Galas personal correspondence most boring stuff taxes correspondence most boring stuff taxes correspondence most boring stuff taxes petitions favors and hello what's this petitions favors and hello what's this petitions favors and hello what's this the Ry Legions are in full Revolt have the Ry Legions are in full Revolt have the Ry Legions are in full Revolt have declared vitellus Emperor and are declared vitellus Emperor and are declared vitellus Emperor and are readying to march on Rome well I think I readying to march on Rome well I think I readying to march on Rome well I think I know what I'm doing know what I'm doing know what I'm doing today oo first attempted to reason with today oo first attempted to reason with today oo first attempted to reason with vitellius and the two engaged in an vitellius and the two engaged in an vitellius and the two engaged in an increasingly acrimonious correspondence increasingly acrimonious correspondence increasingly acrimonious correspondence that had both promising money influence that had both promising money influence that had both promising money influence and property in exchange for the other and property in exchange for the other and property in exchange for the other abandoning his illegitimate claim to the abandoning his illegitimate claim to the abandoning his illegitimate claim to the throne neither back down and the throne neither back down and the throne neither back down and the negotiations if they could even be negotiations if they could even be negotiations if they could even be described as such went described as such went described as such went nowhere oo had the support of the nowhere oo had the support of the nowhere oo had the support of the petorian guard and the senate in Rome

petorian guard and the senate in Rome petorian guard and the senate in Rome and assurances from Governors across the and assurances from Governors across the and assurances from Governors across the Central and Eastern Empire that they Central and Eastern Empire that they Central and Eastern Empire that they backed him but unfortunately all this backed him but unfortunately all this backed him but unfortunately all this amounted to very little when it came to amounted to very little when it came to amounted to very little when it came to countering an invasion from the countering an invasion from the countering an invasion from the north at his immediate disposal oo had north at his immediate disposal oo had north at his immediate disposal oo had the petorian cohorts the remains of the the petorian cohorts the remains of the the petorian cohorts the remains of the Legion galba had decimated and a Legion galba had decimated and a Legion galba had decimated and a collection of parade ready soldiers used collection of parade ready soldiers used collection of parade ready soldiers used mostly for mostly for mostly for show while he corresponded with show while he corresponded with show while he corresponded with vitellius oo conscripted around 2,000 vitellius oo conscripted around 2,000 vitellius oo conscripted around 2,000 Gladiators and gathered up an undefined Gladiators and gathered up an undefined Gladiators and gathered up an undefined number of Cavalry but nothing he had on number of Cavalry but nothing he had on number of Cavalry but nothing he had on hand would be able to stand a chance hand would be able to stand a chance hand would be able to stand a chance against what vitellius was sending against what vitellius was sending against what vitellius was sending South oo's Only Hope lay in the Balkans South oo's Only Hope lay in the Balkans South oo's Only Hope lay in the Balkans and he ordered the legions stationed and he ordered the legions stationed and he ordered the legions stationed there to pack up their winter camps and there to pack up their winter camps and there to pack up their winter camps and head forth with to Northern head forth with to Northern head forth with to Northern Italy oo was hoping to join with them Italy oo was hoping to join with them Italy oo was hoping to join with them and then March through the Alps to face and then March through the Alps to face and then March through the Alps to face down vellus before the ladder could down vellus before the ladder could down vellus before the ladder could reach Italy but by the middle of reach Italy but by the middle of reach Italy but by the middle of February his intelligence reported that February his intelligence reported that February his intelligence reported that the vitalian forces were already on the the vitalian forces were already on the the vitalian forces were already on the March while vellia stayed behind to March while vellia stayed behind to March while vellia stayed behind to oversee the now dangerously under oversee the now dangerously under oversee the now dangerously under Garrison border with Germania ve and Garrison border with Germania ve and Garrison border with Germania ve and kisina each LED separate columns South kisina each LED separate columns South kisina each LED separate columns South bin was to come in from the west and bin was to come in from the west and bin was to come in from the west and kisena the East quickly oo abandoned the kisena the East quickly oo abandoned the kisena the East quickly oo abandoned the idea of marching through the Alps and idea of marching through the Alps and idea of marching through the Alps and determined that he would need to make determined that he would need to make determined that he would need to make his stand at the Po River he ordered the his stand at the Po River he ordered the his stand at the Po River he ordered the forces at his disposal maybe 10,000 forces at his disposal maybe 10,000 forces at his disposal maybe 10,000 troops to March North to the po valley troops to March North to the po valley troops to March North to the po valley and delay the advancing battalions long and delay the advancing battalions long and delay the advancing battalions long enough for the Balan reinforcements to enough for the Balan reinforcements to enough for the Balan reinforcements to arrive at the same time oo sent a

arrive at the same time oo sent a arrive at the same time oo sent a maritime Force up the western coast of maritime Force up the western coast of maritime Force up the western coast of Italy to Gaul the idea seems to have Italy to Gaul the idea seems to have Italy to Gaul the idea seems to have been for this Navy to attack the local been for this Navy to attack the local been for this Navy to attack the local Coastal communities aligned with vellus Coastal communities aligned with vellus Coastal communities aligned with vellus hopefully forcing veilance leading the hopefully forcing veilance leading the hopefully forcing veilance leading the larger of the two columns to halt his larger of the two columns to halt his larger of the two columns to halt his March and come to their aid if this was March and come to their aid if this was March and come to their aid if this was in fact the plan there is some debate in fact the plan there is some debate in fact the plan there is some debate about what exactly this Maritime about what exactly this Maritime about what exactly this Maritime expedition was actually up to they were expedition was actually up to they were expedition was actually up to they were moderately successful they raised enough moderately successful they raised enough moderately successful they raised enough hell that veilance broke off a hell that veilance broke off a hell that veilance broke off a attachment from his column to defend the attachment from his column to defend the attachment from his column to defend the communities and a brief battle was communities and a brief battle was communities and a brief battle was fought the first of what was now fought the first of what was now fought the first of what was now officially a civil war near a place officially a civil war near a place officially a civil war near a place known as The Forum known as The Forum known as The Forum juli the athonian forces won the initial juli the athonian forces won the initial juli the athonian forces won the initial encounter but were driven back after a encounter but were driven back after a encounter but were driven back after a Counterattack the two sides then Counterattack the two sides then Counterattack the two sides then hunkered down in a mutual stalemate this hunkered down in a mutual stalemate this hunkered down in a mutual stalemate this opening counter of the war was opening counter of the war was opening counter of the war was inconclusive But ultimately irrelevant inconclusive But ultimately irrelevant inconclusive But ultimately irrelevant as it slowed veilance down little and as it slowed veilance down little and as it slowed veilance down little and occurred outside of what would prove to occurred outside of what would prove to occurred outside of what would prove to be the main Eastern theater of the be the main Eastern theater of the be the main Eastern theater of the war on that front helped by a mild war on that front helped by a mild war on that front helped by a mild winter and a smaller force kisina was winter and a smaller force kisina was winter and a smaller force kisina was making much faster progress making much faster progress making much faster progress South though kisina and vein were South though kisina and vein were South though kisina and vein were technically on the same side the two technically on the same side the two technically on the same side the two detested each other and were engaged in detested each other and were engaged in detested each other and were engaged in a fierce if unspoken competition to a fierce if unspoken competition to a fierce if unspoken competition to reach Italy first defeat oo first and reach Italy first defeat oo first and reach Italy first defeat oo first and enter Rome enter Rome enter Rome first the official plan was for them to first the official plan was for them to first the official plan was for them to cross the Alps at the same time and meet cross the Alps at the same time and meet cross the Alps at the same time and meet up on the other side but kisina paid no up on the other side but kisina paid no up on the other side but kisina paid no attention to this and plowed ahead attention to this and plowed ahead attention to this and plowed ahead regardless of where veence might be at

regardless of where veence might be at regardless of where veence might be at he emerged into Northern Italy in March he emerged into Northern Italy in March he emerged into Northern Italy in March and went to work securing everything and went to work securing everything and went to work securing everything north of the Po River a Detachment of north of the Po River a Detachment of north of the Po River a Detachment of oo's advanced Force already occupied the oo's advanced Force already occupied the oo's advanced Force already occupied the important city of Placentia on the important city of Placentia on the important city of Placentia on the southern banks of the poe so kisina took southern banks of the poe so kisina took southern banks of the poe so kisina took up residence in Crona on the Northern up residence in Crona on the Northern up residence in Crona on the Northern Bank Prudence dictated that kisina hold Bank Prudence dictated that kisina hold Bank Prudence dictated that kisina hold Crona and wait for veilance but Crona and wait for veilance but Crona and wait for veilance but believing that his veterans would make believing that his veterans would make believing that his veterans would make short work of oo's outnumbered and Soft short work of oo's outnumbered and Soft short work of oo's outnumbered and Soft Parade units kisina decided to Parade units kisina decided to Parade units kisina decided to immediately take Placentia by immediately take Placentia by immediately take Placentia by force but in two days of intense force but in two days of intense force but in two days of intense fighting oos forces successfully fighting oos forces successfully fighting oos forces successfully repelled the assault forcing kisina to repelled the assault forcing kisina to repelled the assault forcing kisina to abandon the abandon the abandon the attempt the rest of the advanced oian attempt the rest of the advanced oian attempt the rest of the advanced oian Army had been encamped at Verona Army had been encamped at Verona Army had been encamped at Verona awaiting the an arrival of the Balkan awaiting the an arrival of the Balkan awaiting the an arrival of the Balkan Legions indeed an advanced force of Legions indeed an advanced force of Legions indeed an advanced force of about 2,000 had already arrived but when about 2,000 had already arrived but when about 2,000 had already arrived but when they heard of The Assault on Placentia they heard of The Assault on Placentia they heard of The Assault on Placentia they rushed to relieve their comrades they rushed to relieve their comrades they rushed to relieve their comrades but before they could arrive kisena had but before they could arrive kisena had but before they could arrive kisena had already been beaten off so they set up already been beaten off so they set up already been beaten off so they set up camp at bedum about 30 Mi east of Crona camp at bedum about 30 Mi east of Crona camp at bedum about 30 Mi east of Crona on the north side of the on the north side of the on the north side of the river humiliated by his defeat at river humiliated by his defeat at river humiliated by his defeat at Placentia and hoping to regain the upper Placentia and hoping to regain the upper Placentia and hoping to regain the upper hand before vein arrived tyena schemed hand before vein arrived tyena schemed hand before vein arrived tyena schemed up an ambush he hoped would help him do up an ambush he hoped would help him do up an ambush he hoped would help him do just just just that leading a small Detachment of that leading a small Detachment of that leading a small Detachment of infantry and Cavalry down the road infantry and Cavalry down the road infantry and Cavalry down the road between Crona and bedum he hid the between Crona and bedum he hid the between Crona and bedum he hid the Infantry in the trees alongside the road Infantry in the trees alongside the road Infantry in the trees alongside the road and then sent out the Cavalry to engage and then sent out the Cavalry to engage and then sent out the Cavalry to engage in one of the oldest military tricks in

in one of the oldest military tricks in in one of the oldest military tricks in the book attack the enemy's Camp pretend the book attack the enemy's Camp pretend the book attack the enemy's Camp pretend to be driven off and lead the pursuing to be driven off and lead the pursuing to be driven off and lead the pursuing Force into a Force into a Force into a trap kisina expected this to be a morale trap kisina expected this to be a morale trap kisina expected this to be a morale booster more than anything else but booster more than anything else but booster more than anything else but things quickly got out of hand the things quickly got out of hand the things quickly got out of hand the aonian for forces had already learned of aonian for forces had already learned of aonian for forces had already learned of kisa's plan by way of vellan deserters kisa's plan by way of vellan deserters kisa's plan by way of vellan deserters so when kaisa's Cavalry arrived the so when kaisa's Cavalry arrived the so when kaisa's Cavalry arrived the aonian marched out in full force now aonian marched out in full force now aonian marched out in full force now somewhere north of 13,000 troops to somewhere north of 13,000 troops to somewhere north of 13,000 troops to overwhelm the overwhelm the overwhelm the Trap though kis was tricked into Trap though kis was tricked into Trap though kis was tricked into attacking what he soon discovered to be attacking what he soon discovered to be attacking what he soon discovered to be the entire opposing Army delays and the entire opposing Army delays and the entire opposing Army delays and hassles trying to properly form up the hassles trying to properly form up the hassles trying to properly form up the mostly rookie athonian troops allowed mostly rookie athonian troops allowed mostly rookie athonian troops allowed kisina to call in reinforcements and kisina to call in reinforcements and kisina to call in reinforcements and extract himself from the debacle extract himself from the debacle extract himself from the debacle by the time of the failed Ambush veence by the time of the failed Ambush veence by the time of the failed Ambush veence had arrived on the Italian side of the had arrived on the Italian side of the had arrived on the Italian side of the Alps though he was still a good 50 miles Alps though he was still a good 50 miles Alps though he was still a good 50 miles from the action when word came of the from the action when word came of the from the action when word came of the events at Placentia and kinus failed events at Placentia and kinus failed events at Placentia and kinus failed Ambush his army double timed it to meet Ambush his army double timed it to meet Ambush his army double timed it to meet up with their comrades the force March up with their comrades the force March up with their comrades the force March though interestingly was not actually though interestingly was not actually though interestingly was not actually veen's idea his troops believing veen's idea his troops believing veen's idea his troops believing veilance to be dragging his feet and veilance to be dragging his feet and veilance to be dragging his feet and slowing the column down on purpose slowing the column down on purpose slowing the column down on purpose literally marched off without him literally marched off without him literally marched off without him forcing him to hurry to catch up at this point discipline in all of the at this point discipline in all of the armies was something of a joke prior to armies was something of a joke prior to armies was something of a joke prior to the Ambush a mutiny in the aonian camp the Ambush a mutiny in the aonian camp the Ambush a mutiny in the aonian camp at bedum triggered by the men's belief at bedum triggered by the men's belief at bedum triggered by the men's belief that their commanders were that their commanders were that their commanders were insufficiently committed to the war was

insufficiently committed to the war was insufficiently committed to the war was headed off only when oos sent his own headed off only when oos sent his own headed off only when oos sent his own brother whose commitment could not be brother whose commitment could not be brother whose commitment could not be questioned to take on overall command questioned to take on overall command questioned to take on overall command during the Ambush a mutiny had broken during the Ambush a mutiny had broken during the Ambush a mutiny had broken out among kisa's troops back in Crona out among kisa's troops back in Crona out among kisa's troops back in Crona because they believed that their because they believed that their because they believed that their commanders were refusing to send them commanders were refusing to send them commanders were refusing to send them out in full force to relieve their out in full force to relieve their out in full force to relieve their comrades because they wanted to hang comrades because they wanted to hang comrades because they wanted to hang kaisa out to kaisa out to kaisa out to dry vein meanwhile ured one Mutiny on dry vein meanwhile ured one Mutiny on dry vein meanwhile ured one Mutiny on his March that required him to slip out his March that required him to slip out his March that required him to slip out of the camp in slaves clothes and then of the camp in slaves clothes and then of the camp in slaves clothes and then obviously a second one when his army obviously a second one when his army obviously a second one when his army disobeyed his orders and marched to disobeyed his orders and marched to disobeyed his orders and marched to cas's cas's cas's defense much is made of the notion that defense much is made of the notion that defense much is made of the notion that throughout the year of the four Emperors throughout the year of the four Emperors throughout the year of the four Emperors the common soldiers were running a muck the common soldiers were running a muck the common soldiers were running a muck and their commanders were simply trying and their commanders were simply trying and their commanders were simply trying to keep up much of this is probably to keep up much of this is probably to keep up much of this is probably overblown but there is no denying that overblown but there is no denying that overblown but there is no denying that for this period of the war between for this period of the war between for this period of the war between vitellius and oo the soldiers clearly vitellius and oo the soldiers clearly vitellius and oo the soldiers clearly did not trust their commanders and for a did not trust their commanders and for a did not trust their commanders and for a while the cart really did seem to be while the cart really did seem to be while the cart really did seem to be leading the leading the leading the horse in the middle of March oo himself horse in the middle of March oo himself horse in the middle of March oo himself finally left Rome at the head of another finally left Rome at the head of another finally left Rome at the head of another 6 to 9,000 6 to 9,000 6 to 9,000 troops the emperor settled with his troops the emperor settled with his troops the emperor settled with his accompanying forces in the town of brick accompanying forces in the town of brick accompanying forces in the town of brick selum about 15 mi from bedum where he selum about 15 mi from bedum where he selum about 15 mi from bedum where he too waited for the Balan too waited for the Balan too waited for the Balan reinforcements soon enough the first of reinforcements soon enough the first of reinforcements soon enough the first of these Legions arrived but by the time these Legions arrived but by the time these Legions arrived but by the time they showed up kisa's assault on they showed up kisa's assault on they showed up kisa's assault on Placentia had failed and his Ambush Placentia had failed and his Ambush Placentia had failed and his Ambush exposed as a exposed as a exposed as a non-starter the aonian Army was eager to non-starter the aonian Army was eager to non-starter the aonian Army was eager to finish off what they saw as a fatally

finish off what they saw as a fatally finish off what they saw as a fatally demoralized Army was there really any demoralized Army was there really any demoralized Army was there really any need to wait for the rest of the Balan need to wait for the rest of the Balan need to wait for the rest of the Balan troops even the arrival of veence was troops even the arrival of veence was troops even the arrival of veence was not enough to put them off with the not enough to put them off with the not enough to put them off with the casualties kisina had suffered trying to casualties kisina had suffered trying to casualties kisina had suffered trying to take Placentia and the arrival of oos take Placentia and the arrival of oos take Placentia and the arrival of oos force and the new Balkan Legion the two force and the new Balkan Legion the two force and the new Balkan Legion the two sides were now of approximately equal sides were now of approximately equal sides were now of approximately equal strength by the middle of April the ball strength by the middle of April the ball strength by the middle of April the ball was clearly in oos Court about what the was clearly in oos Court about what the was clearly in oos Court about what the next move would be the valians meanwhile next move would be the valians meanwhile next move would be the valians meanwhile were holed up in Crona hoping that the were holed up in Crona hoping that the were holed up in Crona hoping that the inexperienced oo his five feuding inexperienced oo his five feuding inexperienced oo his five feuding generals and their inexperienced Legions generals and their inexperienced Legions generals and their inexperienced Legions would make a crucial mistake that they would make a crucial mistake that they would make a crucial mistake that they could could could exploit oo traveled to bedum to hold the exploit oo traveled to bedum to hold the exploit oo traveled to bedum to hold the Council of War where the generals Council of War where the generals Council of War where the generals debated whether to attack now or wait debated whether to attack now or wait debated whether to attack now or wait for a more opportune moment it seems for a more opportune moment it seems for a more opportune moment it seems though that the decision to attack at though that the decision to attack at though that the decision to attack at once had already been made and that once had already been made and that once had already been made and that despite their valid arguments that it despite their valid arguments that it despite their valid arguments that it would be best to perhaps wait for the would be best to perhaps wait for the would be best to perhaps wait for the rest of the Balan Legions those in favor rest of the Balan Legions those in favor rest of the Balan Legions those in favor of delay were seen as being overly timid of delay were seen as being overly timid of delay were seen as being overly timid and possibly working to undermine the and possibly working to undermine the and possibly working to undermine the aonian effort delay it was argued meant aonian effort delay it was argued meant aonian effort delay it was argued meant losing the initiative and allowing losing the initiative and allowing losing the initiative and allowing vitellius to send his own vitellius to send his own vitellius to send his own reinforcements the only real question reinforcements the only real question reinforcements the only real question was whether oo would lead his army was whether oo would lead his army was whether oo would lead his army personally or return to the safety of personally or return to the safety of personally or return to the safety of brick selum it was finally decided that brick selum it was finally decided that brick selum it was finally decided that the emperor would follow a precedent and the emperor would follow a precedent and the emperor would follow a precedent and remove himself from the field if things remove himself from the field if things remove himself from the field if things went badly and he was out of Harm's Way went badly and he was out of Harm's Way went badly and he was out of Harm's Way he would still be a rallying point and

he would still be a rallying point and he would still be a rallying point and able to direct a able to direct a able to direct a Counterattack but if things went badly Counterattack but if things went badly Counterattack but if things went badly and he was in the thick of the battle and he was in the thick of the battle and he was in the thick of the battle well the death of oo meant the death of well the death of oo meant the death of well the death of oo meant the death of the whole operation as he had no Heir the whole operation as he had no Heir the whole operation as he had no Heir and had not yet named a successor and had not yet named a successor and had not yet named a successor the decision to fight itself was not the the decision to fight itself was not the the decision to fight itself was not the Fatal mistake the balians had been Fatal mistake the balians had been Fatal mistake the balians had been waiting for but the way otho's generals waiting for but the way otho's generals waiting for but the way otho's generals executed the decision most certainly executed the decision most certainly executed the decision most certainly was betrium was only about 30 mil from was betrium was only about 30 mil from was betrium was only about 30 mil from Crona but it took the oian two full days Crona but it took the oian two full days Crona but it took the oian two full days to reach the city the delay gave oo fits to reach the city the delay gave oo fits to reach the city the delay gave oo fits as he sent dispatch after dispatch as he sent dispatch after dispatch as he sent dispatch after dispatch demanding to know why in the hell they demanding to know why in the hell they demanding to know why in the hell they had not attacked yet to make matters had not attacked yet to make matters had not attacked yet to make matters worse on that second day the eonian worse on that second day the eonian worse on that second day the eonian generals particularly oo's brother were generals particularly oo's brother were generals particularly oo's brother were not prepared for battle at not prepared for battle at not prepared for battle at all convinced that the balians would all convinced that the balians would all convinced that the balians would remain sequestered in Crona he tried to remain sequestered in Crona he tried to remain sequestered in Crona he tried to lead the athonian Army around the city lead the athonian Army around the city lead the athonian Army around the city to a spot 5 miles past Crona where they to a spot 5 miles past Crona where they to a spot 5 miles past Crona where they would make camp and then finally on day would make camp and then finally on day would make camp and then finally on day three go the balians into three go the balians into three go the balians into attack but when veence and kisina saw attack but when veence and kisina saw attack but when veence and kisina saw the eonian sort of rambling towards them the eonian sort of rambling towards them the eonian sort of rambling towards them with all their baggage and carts and with all their baggage and carts and with all their baggage and carts and Equipment weighing them down down they Equipment weighing them down down they Equipment weighing them down down they figured that now was the perfect figured that now was the perfect figured that now was the perfect opportunity to attack so they did just opportunity to attack so they did just opportunity to attack so they did just that totally unprepared the aonian lined that totally unprepared the aonian lined that totally unprepared the aonian lined up in confused order when the full up in confused order when the full up in confused order when the full vitalian Army suddenly appeared on the vitalian Army suddenly appeared on the vitalian Army suddenly appeared on the horizon both sides were able to set horizon both sides were able to set horizon both sides were able to set themselves and initially the battle was

themselves and initially the battle was themselves and initially the battle was little more than a series of skirmishes little more than a series of skirmishes little more than a series of skirmishes but then the two lines crashed into each but then the two lines crashed into each but then the two lines crashed into each other and the armies got down to other and the armies got down to other and the armies got down to business though everyone comments that business though everyone comments that business though everyone comments that the untried aonian fought far better the untried aonian fought far better the untried aonian fought far better than anyone could have expected first than anyone could have expected first than anyone could have expected first their Left Flank and then their right their Left Flank and then their right their Left Flank and then their right were were were overrun the athonian broke and fled back overrun the athonian broke and fled back overrun the athonian broke and fled back to the safety of their camp at to the safety of their camp at to the safety of their camp at pedum the survivors spent the night pedum the survivors spent the night pedum the survivors spent the night trying to figure out what to do next the trying to figure out what to do next the trying to figure out what to do next the petorian present wanted to keep fighting petorian present wanted to keep fighting petorian present wanted to keep fighting but everybody else was ready to but everybody else was ready to but everybody else was ready to surrender a delegation was sent to meet surrender a delegation was sent to meet surrender a delegation was sent to meet with Kine and veilance to work out the with Kine and veilance to work out the with Kine and veilance to work out the terms oo received news of the defeat terms oo received news of the defeat terms oo received news of the defeat from survivors staggering into Excel him from survivors staggering into Excel him from survivors staggering into Excel him that same evening though he still had that same evening though he still had that same evening though he still had reinforcements on the way their loyalty reinforcements on the way their loyalty reinforcements on the way their loyalty was nominal at best so despite the was nominal at best so despite the was nominal at best so despite the protests of the petorian surrounding him protests of the petorian surrounding him protests of the petorian surrounding him oo determined straight away that he had oo determined straight away that he had oo determined straight away that he had taken his one shot and missed he could taken his one shot and missed he could taken his one shot and missed he could not in good conscience prolong a war not in good conscience prolong a war not in good conscience prolong a war that would only see more Roman blood that would only see more Roman blood that would only see more Roman blood spilled he dispersed what money he had spilled he dispersed what money he had spilled he dispersed what money he had encouraged his supporters to flee from encouraged his supporters to flee from encouraged his supporters to flee from the oncoming vitalian wrath and then the oncoming vitalian wrath and then the oncoming vitalian wrath and then went to bed his mind firmed made went to bed his mind firmed made went to bed his mind firmed made up if right now he was seen as a villain up if right now he was seen as a villain up if right now he was seen as a villain for having seized the throne violently for having seized the throne violently for having seized the throne violently and then engaging in a war against his and then engaging in a war against his and then engaging in a war against his fellow countrymen let future Generations fellow countrymen let future Generations fellow countrymen let future Generations see him as a noble man who died to stop see him as a noble man who died to stop see him as a noble man who died to stop the the the slaughter on the morning of April 16th slaughter on the morning of April 16th slaughter on the morning of April 16th he woke up early and stabbed himself in

he woke up early and stabbed himself in he woke up early and stabbed himself in the heart he was 36 years old and had the heart he was 36 years old and had the heart he was 36 years old and had ruled Rome well some of it anyway for ruled Rome well some of it anyway for ruled Rome well some of it anyway for almost exactly 3 almost exactly 3 almost exactly 3 months though his suicide did indeed months though his suicide did indeed months though his suicide did indeed endear him to Future future Generations endear him to Future future Generations endear him to Future future Generations who came to see oo's Noble death as one who came to see oo's Noble death as one who came to see oo's Noble death as one of the most virtuous in the whole long of the most virtuous in the whole long of the most virtuous in the whole long history of the Empire it would only stop history of the Empire it would only stop history of the Empire it would only stop the Bloodshed for a short the Bloodshed for a short the Bloodshed for a short while for many Romans while oo may have while for many Romans while oo may have while for many Romans while oo may have been a murderous usurper vitellus was a been a murderous usurper vitellus was a been a murderous usurper vitellus was a crass and unworthy man who had used the crass and unworthy man who had used the crass and unworthy man who had used the armies entrusted to him to engage in armies entrusted to him to engage in armies entrusted to him to engage in full-blown Civil War without soliciting full-blown Civil War without soliciting full-blown Civil War without soliciting the senate or the people's the senate or the people's the senate or the people's approval vitellius may have been popular approval vitellius may have been popular approval vitellius may have been popular with his troops and supported by a few with his troops and supported by a few with his troops and supported by a few provincial governors in the west but the provincial governors in the west but the provincial governors in the west but the rest of the empire was a different rest of the empire was a different rest of the empire was a different story The backers of oo were not simply story The backers of oo were not simply story The backers of oo were not simply ready to resign themselves to ready to resign themselves to ready to resign themselves to valius rather they cast about looking valius rather they cast about looking valius rather they cast about looking for a leader to Rally behind someone for a leader to Rally behind someone for a leader to Rally behind someone strong enough to dislodge the Ry Legions strong enough to dislodge the Ry Legions strong enough to dislodge the Ry Legions from their newly won place at the top of from their newly won place at the top of from their newly won place at the top of the food chain naturally their eyes the food chain naturally their eyes the food chain naturally their eyes turned to the turned to the turned to the east too far away to really take part in east too far away to really take part in east too far away to really take part in the events of the past year the e e the events of the past year the e e the events of the past year the e e Legions led by Titus flavus Vespa onist Legions led by Titus flavus Vespa onist Legions led by Titus flavus Vespa onist read about the unfolding chaos with this read about the unfolding chaos with this read about the unfolding chaos with this may when vellus of all people wound upon may when vellus of all people wound upon may when vellus of all people wound upon on the throne Vespasian decided to heed on the throne Vespasian decided to heed on the throne Vespasian decided to heed the calls coming in from his fellow the calls coming in from his fellow the calls coming in from his fellow Eastern Governors to bid for the throne Eastern Governors to bid for the throne Eastern Governors to bid for the throne himself after all had he not heard the

himself after all had he not heard the himself after all had he not heard the prophecy that the future rulers of the prophecy that the future rulers of the prophecy that the future rulers of the world would emerge from world would emerge from world would emerge from Judea embroiled in the great Jewish Judea embroiled in the great Jewish Judea embroiled in the great Jewish Revolt in Judea basaan had not only Revolt in Judea basaan had not only Revolt in Judea basaan had not only heard of the prophecy but he'd come to heard of the prophecy but he'd come to heard of the prophecy but he'd come to believe it just a month and a half after believe it just a month and a half after believe it just a month and a half after his so-called decisive victory at bedrum his so-called decisive victory at bedrum his so-called decisive victory at bedrum the Tellus discovered that practically the Tellus discovered that practically the Tellus discovered that practically the entire Eastern Empire including the the entire Eastern Empire including the the entire Eastern Empire including the crucial province of Egypt had declared crucial province of Egypt had declared crucial province of Egypt had declared for for for Vespasian despite oo's best efforts the Vespasian despite oo's best efforts the Vespasian despite oo's best efforts the chaos and bloodshed of the year of the chaos and bloodshed of the year of the chaos and bloodshed of the year of the four Emperors was far from over four Emperors was far from over four Emperors was far from over [Music] hello and welcome to the history of hello and welcome to the history of Rome episode 72 vitellius and Vespa Rome episode 72 vitellius and Vespa Rome episode 72 vitellius and Vespa [Music] [Music] [Music] in April of 69 ad the Romans watched in April of 69 ad the Romans watched in April of 69 ad the Romans watched vitellius their fourth emperor in less vitellius their fourth emperor in less vitellius their fourth emperor in less than a year Ascend to the throne when than a year Ascend to the throne when than a year Ascend to the throne when Nero had committed suicide conventional Nero had committed suicide conventional Nero had committed suicide conventional wisdom held that old Galo would Reign wisdom held that old Galo would Reign wisdom held that old Galo would Reign for a few years and then hand power to for a few years and then hand power to for a few years and then hand power to an heir presumably some young man with an heir presumably some young man with an heir presumably some young man with many years ahead of him if anything the

many years ahead of him if anything the many years ahead of him if anything the death of Nero was supposed to open up a death of Nero was supposed to open up a death of Nero was supposed to open up a period of stability but here they were period of stability but here they were period of stability but here they were 10 months later and the Senate was 10 months later and the Senate was 10 months later and the Senate was recognizing yet another emperor recognizing yet another emperor recognizing yet another emperor there was nothing anyone could really do there was nothing anyone could really do there was nothing anyone could really do about it except hope that this finally about it except hope that this finally about it except hope that this finally was the end of it but it was not to be was the end of it but it was not to be was the end of it but it was not to be vellus would not live to see the new vellus would not live to see the new vellus would not live to see the new year and before the final emperor of year and before the final emperor of year and before the final emperor of this chaotic period strowed into office this chaotic period strowed into office this chaotic period strowed into office there would be more Bloodshed more there would be more Bloodshed more there would be more Bloodshed more misery more betrayal and more misery more betrayal and more misery more betrayal and more destruction though he was of mild destruction though he was of mild destruction though he was of mild disposition and never would have ordered disposition and never would have ordered disposition and never would have ordered the crimes committed in his name when the crimes committed in his name when the crimes committed in his name when the forces of vpan stormed into Italy on the forces of vpan stormed into Italy on the forces of vpan stormed into Italy on their way to Rome they brought with them their way to Rome they brought with them their way to Rome they brought with them the worst Civil War had to offer it the worst Civil War had to offer it the worst Civil War had to offer it would be a bloody end to a bloody year would be a bloody end to a bloody year would be a bloody end to a bloody year the only Silver Lining was that it would the only Silver Lining was that it would the only Silver Lining was that it would be an end Vespasian would Reign for be an end Vespasian would Reign for be an end Vespasian would Reign for years not months and his sons for years years not months and his sons for years years not months and his sons for years after that the luck of the flavians after that the luck of the flavians after that the luck of the flavians would see to would see to would see to that the suicide of oo had taken that the suicide of oo had taken that the suicide of oo had taken Everyone by surprise friend and foe Everyone by surprise friend and foe Everyone by surprise friend and foe alike expected the young Emperor to alike expected the young Emperor to alike expected the young Emperor to fight it out with vellus to The Bitter fight it out with vellus to The Bitter fight it out with vellus to The Bitter End after going to such extreme lengths End after going to such extreme lengths End after going to such extreme lengths to seiz power it was inconceivable that to seiz power it was inconceivable that to seiz power it was inconceivable that he would simply give up after suffering he would simply give up after suffering he would simply give up after suffering what could be seen as no more than a what could be seen as no more than a what could be seen as no more than a minor setback at minor setback at minor setback at pedum but rather than receiving further pedum but rather than receiving further pedum but rather than receiving further instructions the legions that had instructions the legions that had instructions the legions that had pledged their loyalty to oo were simply pledged their loyalty to oo were simply pledged their loyalty to oo were simply informed that their leader was dead and informed that their leader was dead and informed that their leader was dead and rather than preparing themselves for the rather than preparing themselves for the rather than preparing themselves for the next battle the legions that had pledged next battle the legions that had pledged next battle the legions that had pledged their loyalty to vellus were simply

their loyalty to vellus were simply their loyalty to vellus were simply informed that they had won no one knew informed that they had won no one knew informed that they had won no one knew quite what to do quite what to do quite what to do next vitellius though knew exactly what next vitellius though knew exactly what next vitellius though knew exactly what to do throw a huge party the new emperor to do throw a huge party the new emperor to do throw a huge party the new emperor not officially designated as such yet not officially designated as such yet not officially designated as such yet was staying in lunham the Roman capital was staying in lunham the Roman capital was staying in lunham the Roman capital of Gaul when he got the news that oo was of Gaul when he got the news that oo was of Gaul when he got the news that oo was dead vein and kisina were told to make dead vein and kisina were told to make dead vein and kisina were told to make sure their respective armies were in sure their respective armies were in sure their respective armies were in order and that the enemy was fully order and that the enemy was fully order and that the enemy was fully subdued and then they were to make haste subdued and then they were to make haste subdued and then they were to make haste to G for an extravagant banquet when the to G for an extravagant banquet when the to G for an extravagant banquet when the two generals ared they sat on opposite two generals ared they sat on opposite two generals ared they sat on opposite sides of the new emperor at the main sides of the new emperor at the main sides of the new emperor at the main table and everyone got good and drunk table and everyone got good and drunk table and everyone got good and drunk singing each other's praises and mocking singing each other's praises and mocking singing each other's praises and mocking the eonian well into the night the the eonian well into the night the the eonian well into the night the excesses of the Victory celebration excesses of the Victory celebration excesses of the Victory celebration would set the tone for vitus's Reign or would set the tone for vitus's Reign or would set the tone for vitus's Reign or at least the historical depiction of at least the historical depiction of at least the historical depiction of bellus' Reign which may or may not be bellus' Reign which may or may not be bellus' Reign which may or may not be the same the same the same thing the problem for vitellius is that thing the problem for vitellius is that thing the problem for vitellius is that none of the ancient historians were on none of the ancient historians were on none of the ancient historians were on his side the men who recorded the events his side the men who recorded the events his side the men who recorded the events of the year of the four Emperors were of the year of the four Emperors were of the year of the four Emperors were obviously writing after vespaon had obviously writing after vespaon had obviously writing after vespaon had emerged Victorious and I think we all emerged Victorious and I think we all emerged Victorious and I think we all know what they say about who gets to WR know what they say about who gets to WR know what they say about who gets to WR history Vespasian would have naturally history Vespasian would have naturally history Vespasian would have naturally Justified his own actions by repeating Justified his own actions by repeating Justified his own actions by repeating the worst rumors about vitus's excesses the worst rumors about vitus's excesses the worst rumors about vitus's excesses in order to portray himself as a savior in order to portray himself as a savior in order to portray himself as a savior and so Roman Scholars became steeped in and so Roman Scholars became steeped in and so Roman Scholars became steeped in vespasian's version of who did what to vespasian's version of who did what to vespasian's version of who did what to who why and who why and who why and how tacitus may have published his how tacitus may have published his how tacitus may have published his account well after the death of account well after the death of account well after the death of demission but his early career was

demission but his early career was demission but his early career was influenced by first Vespasian and then influenced by first Vespasian and then influenced by first Vespasian and then Titus and it is understandable that he Titus and it is understandable that he Titus and it is understandable that he portrayed vitellius in less than glowing portrayed vitellius in less than glowing portrayed vitellius in less than glowing terms but it was not just flavian terms but it was not just flavian terms but it was not just flavian propaganda that valius is up against propaganda that valius is up against propaganda that valius is up against swet anas's father fought with the swet anas's father fought with the swet anas's father fought with the eonian at pacum and if you think that eonian at pacum and if you think that eonian at pacum and if you think that the father had anything good to say to the father had anything good to say to the father had anything good to say to the son about the gluttonous usurper the son about the gluttonous usurper the son about the gluttonous usurper from Germania well you haven't read 12 from Germania well you haven't read 12 from Germania well you haven't read 12 Caesars this is all to say that the Caesars this is all to say that the Caesars this is all to say that the caricature of vellus that has been caricature of vellus that has been caricature of vellus that has been handed down to us may bear only a handed down to us may bear only a handed down to us may bear only a passing resemblance to the man himself passing resemblance to the man himself passing resemblance to the man himself that being said though it sure is a fun that being said though it sure is a fun that being said though it sure is a fun character character character so let's just roll with so let's just roll with so let's just roll with it it took vellus 6 weeks to wind his it it took vellus 6 weeks to wind his it it took vellus 6 weeks to wind his way down to Rome leading his army from way down to Rome leading his army from way down to Rome leading his army from the rind on a Meandering debauched road the rind on a Meandering debauched road the rind on a Meandering debauched road trip with some 60,000 soldiers followers trip with some 60,000 soldiers followers trip with some 60,000 soldiers followers and Hangers On accompanying him and Hangers On accompanying him and Hangers On accompanying him discipline was lack and the toll taken discipline was lack and the toll taken discipline was lack and the toll taken on the towns they passed on the towns they passed on the towns they passed High along the way the new emperor High along the way the new emperor High along the way the new emperor detoured to the battlefield at bedrum detoured to the battlefield at bedrum detoured to the battlefield at bedrum and pronounced the stench of death that and pronounced the stench of death that and pronounced the stench of death that still hung over the field sweet to his still hung over the field sweet to his still hung over the field sweet to his nose nose nose he then swung by oo's Modest burial he then swung by oo's Modest burial he then swung by oo's Modest burial sight and pronounced it a small grave sight and pronounced it a small grave sight and pronounced it a small grave for a small man then he went back to his for a small man then he went back to his for a small man then he went back to his traveling party and got drunk see isn't traveling party and got drunk see isn't traveling party and got drunk see isn't this vellus fun he finally arrived in this vellus fun he finally arrived in this vellus fun he finally arrived in Rome in June and had every intention of Rome in June and had every intention of Rome in June and had every intention of marching into the capital in full marching into the capital in full marching into the capital in full triumphal regalia but was reminded that triumphal regalia but was reminded that triumphal regalia but was reminded that it would be in really really poor form it would be in really really poor form it would be in really really poor form to celebrate victory over his fellow

to celebrate victory over his fellow to celebrate victory over his fellow Romans so he entered the gates dressed Romans so he entered the gates dressed Romans so he entered the gates dressed in a simple civilian toga instead in a simple civilian toga instead in a simple civilian toga instead the actual reign of vitellius is not the actual reign of vitellius is not the actual reign of vitellius is not particularly well documented but the particularly well documented but the particularly well documented but the general consensus is that while vitellus general consensus is that while vitellus general consensus is that while vitellus banqueted four times a day attended the banqueted four times a day attended the banqueted four times a day attended the races and then slept it off vein and races and then slept it off vein and races and then slept it off vein and kaisa were left in control of the kaisa were left in control of the kaisa were left in control of the day-to-day day-to-day day-to-day operations Partners in war however the operations Partners in war however the operations Partners in war however the two became bitter enemies in peace and two became bitter enemies in peace and two became bitter enemies in peace and nothing so defined the vitalian regime nothing so defined the vitalian regime nothing so defined the vitalian regime as the Rivalry between vein and as the Rivalry between vein and as the Rivalry between vein and kisina every appointment every kisina every appointment every kisina every appointment every assignment every appropriation became a assignment every appropriation became a assignment every appropriation became a Cause worth fighting for they both Cause worth fighting for they both Cause worth fighting for they both stacked the reorganized Legion civil stacked the reorganized Legion civil stacked the reorganized Legion civil service and petorian guard with their service and petorian guard with their service and petorian guard with their own clients so that every level of every own clients so that every level of every own clients so that every level of every Department became a front in their Department became a front in their Department became a front in their running political running political running political war in the end Veil would win the war war in the end Veil would win the war war in the end Veil would win the war for influence leading kaisen to famously for influence leading kaisen to famously for influence leading kaisen to famously betray his third emperor in 15 months the vitalian regime was unable to months the vitalian regime was unable to accomplish that much in their brief time accomplish that much in their brief time accomplish that much in their brief time at the helm they ra some taxes threw at the helm they ra some taxes threw at the helm they ra some taxes threw some games and tried to manage four some games and tried to manage four some games and tried to manage four Emperor worth of Consular promises in an Emperor worth of Consular promises in an Emperor worth of Consular promises in an effort to keep the nobility happy but effort to keep the nobility happy but effort to keep the nobility happy but between the first battle of badam in between the first battle of badam in between the first battle of badam in April and the second in October it's not April and the second in October it's not April and the second in October it's not like they had a lot of time to work with like they had a lot of time to work with like they had a lot of time to work with the only really significant thing they the only really significant thing they the only really significant thing they did upon taking office was to disband did upon taking office was to disband did upon taking office was to disband the existing petorian guard and then the existing petorian guard and then the existing petorian guard and then reform it using their own troops to reform it using their own troops to reform it using their own troops to ensure that all the oian loyalists were

ensure that all the oian loyalists were ensure that all the oian loyalists were purged this was maybe a good idea and purged this was maybe a good idea and purged this was maybe a good idea and maybe maybe not but the final upshot was maybe maybe not but the final upshot was maybe maybe not but the final upshot was that all the best troops were siphoned that all the best troops were siphoned that all the best troops were siphoned out of the Ryan Legions so when kisina out of the Ryan Legions so when kisina out of the Ryan Legions so when kisina headed north to face Antonius his headed north to face Antonius his headed north to face Antonius his invading Army the force he led was not invading Army the force he led was not invading Army the force he led was not the same Army he had led against the same Army he had led against the same Army he had led against oo oh and all those fired pretorians oo oh and all those fired pretorians oo oh and all those fired pretorians when they heard that the legions of the when they heard that the legions of the when they heard that the legions of the East were promising to topple vellus East were promising to topple vellus East were promising to topple vellus guess whose Banner they all flocked to guess whose Banner they all flocked to guess whose Banner they all flocked to so the Reformation of the pretorians may so the Reformation of the pretorians may so the Reformation of the pretorians may have seemed like a good idea at the time have seemed like a good idea at the time have seemed like a good idea at the time but all It ultimately did was weaken V I but all It ultimately did was weaken V I but all It ultimately did was weaken V I and strengthen vpan so yeah maybe not and strengthen vpan so yeah maybe not and strengthen vpan so yeah maybe not such a good such a good such a good idea speaking of vespaon when we last idea speaking of vespaon when we last idea speaking of vespaon when we last left him he was in the process of left him he was in the process of left him he was in the process of putting down the great Jewish Revolt putting down the great Jewish Revolt putting down the great Jewish Revolt specifically contemplating when and how specifically contemplating when and how specifically contemplating when and how he was going to take Jerusalem but when he was going to take Jerusalem but when he was going to take Jerusalem but when news of Nero's suicide arrived he put news of Nero's suicide arrived he put news of Nero's suicide arrived he put the breakes on the campaign unsure of the breakes on the campaign unsure of the breakes on the campaign unsure of whether galba planned to adopt a harsh whether galba planned to adopt a harsh whether galba planned to adopt a harsh or lenient posture towards the Jews plus or lenient posture towards the Jews plus or lenient posture towards the Jews plus as one of Nero's appointees he had every as one of Nero's appointees he had every as one of Nero's appointees he had every reason to fear that gble would recall reason to fear that gble would recall reason to fear that gble would recall him from his post so he wrote the new him from his post so he wrote the new him from his post so he wrote the new emperor a friendly letter pledging emperor a friendly letter pledging emperor a friendly letter pledging loyalty and requesting loyalty and requesting loyalty and requesting instructions fearing the worst when instructions fearing the worst when instructions fearing the worst when galba ignored his Overture Vespasian galba ignored his Overture Vespasian galba ignored his Overture Vespasian sent his 28-year-old son Titus to Rome sent his 28-year-old son Titus to Rome sent his 28-year-old son Titus to Rome to feel galba out but before Titus could to feel galba out but before Titus could to feel galba out but before Titus could arrive he received news of galba's arrive he received news of galba's arrive he received news of galba's assassination and decided to turn back assassination and decided to turn back assassination and decided to turn back rather than allow himself to become a rather than allow himself to become a rather than allow himself to become a pawn in the Brewing war between oo and

pawn in the Brewing war between oo and pawn in the Brewing war between oo and vitellius Vespasian commended his son's decision Vespasian commended his son's decision and then began to mle over what to do and then began to mle over what to do and then began to mle over what to do obviously he should try to keep himself obviously he should try to keep himself obviously he should try to keep himself at arms length from the conflict between at arms length from the conflict between at arms length from the conflict between oo and vitellius and wait to see how it oo and vitellius and wait to see how it oo and vitellius and wait to see how it played played played out he was obligated to swear loyalty to out he was obligated to swear loyalty to out he was obligated to swear loyalty to oo of course but that did not mean that oo of course but that did not mean that oo of course but that did not mean that he had to lift a finger to help him so he had to lift a finger to help him so he had to lift a finger to help him so vespaon settled back to wait for further vespaon settled back to wait for further vespaon settled back to wait for further news from the news from the news from the West while he waited though a thought West while he waited though a thought West while he waited though a thought began to form in his head back home began to form in his head back home began to form in his head back home every two-bit General with a legion at every two-bit General with a legion at every two-bit General with a legion at his disposal was making his bid for his disposal was making his bid for his disposal was making his bid for power what makes them so much more power what makes them so much more power what makes them so much more qualified than you know qualified than you know qualified than you know me the future king of the world will me the future king of the world will me the future king of the world will come from Judea the prophecy had said come from Judea the prophecy had said come from Judea the prophecy had said vpan was beginning to think that he vpan was beginning to think that he vpan was beginning to think that he could make that prophecy come could make that prophecy come could make that prophecy come true but that is not to say that this true but that is not to say that this true but that is not to say that this was all vespasian's idea gas linius was all vespasian's idea gas linius was all vespasian's idea gas linius mianus the governor of Syria had gone as mianus the governor of Syria had gone as mianus the governor of Syria had gone as high as he could hope to go in public high as he could hope to go in public high as he could hope to go in public life under existing conditions and was life under existing conditions and was life under existing conditions and was dissatisfied with how low a height it dissatisfied with how low a height it dissatisfied with how low a height it was stuck in the largely diplomatic post was stuck in the largely diplomatic post was stuck in the largely diplomatic post of Syria he was in danger of passing his of Syria he was in danger of passing his of Syria he was in danger of passing his whole life without ever tasting military whole life without ever tasting military whole life without ever tasting military glory and was determined to rectify that glory and was determined to rectify that glory and was determined to rectify that situation muan saw in the mild capable situation muan saw in the mild capable situation muan saw in the mild capable and well-like Vespasian the perfect and well-like Vespasian the perfect and well-like Vespasian the perfect vehicle for his Ambitions so he became vehicle for his Ambitions so he became vehicle for his Ambitions so he became an early prodder of vespasian's growing an early prodder of vespasian's growing an early prodder of vespasian's growing ego and an active supporter once the

ego and an active supporter once the ego and an active supporter once the future Emperor finally decided to go for future Emperor finally decided to go for future Emperor finally decided to go for it the other key proter of Vespasian was it the other key proter of Vespasian was it the other key proter of Vespasian was tiberious Julius Alexander the Jewish tiberious Julius Alexander the Jewish tiberious Julius Alexander the Jewish born prefect of Egypt appointed by Nero born prefect of Egypt appointed by Nero born prefect of Egypt appointed by Nero events in the west had unfolded too events in the west had unfolded too events in the west had unfolded too rapidly for either galba or oo to rapidly for either galba or oo to rapidly for either galba or oo to replace him so he and his two Legions replace him so he and his two Legions replace him so he and his two Legions continued their Administration in continued their Administration in continued their Administration in Alexandria well into vell's Alexandria well into vell's Alexandria well into vell's Reign having no love for vitellius and Reign having no love for vitellius and Reign having no love for vitellius and knowing full well that the new emperor knowing full well that the new emperor knowing full well that the new emperor would likely replace him and possibly would likely replace him and possibly would likely replace him and possibly execute at the first opportunity execute at the first opportunity execute at the first opportunity Alexander began a secret correspondence Alexander began a secret correspondence Alexander began a secret correspondence with Vespasian pledging his support and with Vespasian pledging his support and with Vespasian pledging his support and his Legions if Vespasian decided to you his Legions if Vespasian decided to you his Legions if Vespasian decided to you know do know do know do something the two Legions were nice but something the two Legions were nice but something the two Legions were nice but the real prize here was that Egypt was the real prize here was that Egypt was the real prize here was that Egypt was still a key agricultural engine of the still a key agricultural engine of the still a key agricultural engine of the Empire any invasion of Italy that was Empire any invasion of Italy that was Empire any invasion of Italy that was coupled with a strangling off of the coupled with a strangling off of the coupled with a strangling off of the grain Supply did not necessarily grain Supply did not necessarily grain Supply did not necessarily guarantee Victory C Anthony Mark but it guarantee Victory C Anthony Mark but it guarantee Victory C Anthony Mark but it sure upped the percentages by healthy sure upped the percentages by healthy sure upped the percentages by healthy margin both muis and Alexander were margin both muis and Alexander were margin both muis and Alexander were ready to declare for VES pacian ready to declare for VES pacian ready to declare for VES pacian immediately but the future Emperor was a immediately but the future Emperor was a immediately but the future Emperor was a deliberate man and as spring turned to deliberate man and as spring turned to deliberate man and as spring turned to Summer he had still not yet announced Summer he had still not yet announced Summer he had still not yet announced whether or not he was going to lead the whether or not he was going to lead the whether or not he was going to lead the armies of the east in armies of the east in armies of the east in Revolt the impatient Alexander decided Revolt the impatient Alexander decided Revolt the impatient Alexander decided Vespasian just needed a swift kick to Vespasian just needed a swift kick to Vespasian just needed a swift kick to get going so the prefect of Egypt went get going so the prefect of Egypt went get going so the prefect of Egypt went ahead and administered an oath of ahead and administered an oath of ahead and administered an oath of loyalty to Vespasian to his Legions on loyalty to Vespasian to his Legions on loyalty to Vespasian to his Legions on July the 1st a few days later Vespasian

July the 1st a few days later Vespasian July the 1st a few days later Vespasian armies in Judea heard the news and when armies in Judea heard the news and when armies in Judea heard the news and when their General emerged from his tent a their General emerged from his tent a their General emerged from his tent a collection of them casually hailed him collection of them casually hailed him collection of them casually hailed him as as as Emperor with the cat now out of the bag Emperor with the cat now out of the bag Emperor with the cat now out of the bag Vespasian decided to let it roam Vespasian decided to let it roam Vespasian decided to let it roam free on July 15 misus administered the free on July 15 misus administered the free on July 15 misus administered the oath to the legions of Syria and went to oath to the legions of Syria and went to oath to the legions of Syria and went to work convincing the legions in the work convincing the legions in the work convincing the legions in the Balkans to join them in the process of Balkans to join them in the process of Balkans to join them in the process of being punished by vellus for their being punished by vellus for their being punished by vellus for their support of oo the troops in the Balkans support of oo the troops in the Balkans support of oo the troops in the Balkans were more than happy to join in the were more than happy to join in the were more than happy to join in the fight in short order Vespasian had the fight in short order Vespasian had the fight in short order Vespasian had the whole of the Eastern Empire lined up whole of the Eastern Empire lined up whole of the Eastern Empire lined up behind him vitellius meanwhile was still behind him vitellius meanwhile was still behind him vitellius meanwhile was still taking his Victory taking his Victory taking his Victory lap the flavian plan was for Vespasian lap the flavian plan was for Vespasian lap the flavian plan was for Vespasian to remain behind in the East while muis to remain behind in the East while muis to remain behind in the East while muis LED an invasion of the West taking up LED an invasion of the West taking up LED an invasion of the West taking up residence in Alexandria Vespasian would residence in Alexandria Vespasian would residence in Alexandria Vespasian would be able to personally oversee the be able to personally oversee the be able to personally oversee the all-important province of Egypt while all-important province of Egypt while all-important province of Egypt while remaining perfectly situated to remaining perfectly situated to remaining perfectly situated to reinforce his invasion Force should they reinforce his invasion Force should they reinforce his invasion Force should they need support need support need support after receiving assurances from the after receiving assurances from the after receiving assurances from the parthians that they would not stir up parthians that they would not stir up parthians that they would not stir up trouble along the border muis set out trouble along the border muis set out trouble along the border muis set out west with a force of about 18,000 troops west with a force of about 18,000 troops west with a force of about 18,000 troops along the way he was supposed to pick up along the way he was supposed to pick up along the way he was supposed to pick up the Balkan Legions and then when he got the Balkan Legions and then when he got the Balkan Legions and then when he got near Italy put out the call to the near Italy put out the call to the near Italy put out the call to the demobilized oian Troops to flock to demobilized oian Troops to flock to demobilized oian Troops to flock to vespasian's Banner but things did not vespasian's Banner but things did not vespasian's Banner but things did not exactly go according to exactly go according to exactly go according to plan the commanders of the five Legions plan the commanders of the five Legions plan the commanders of the five Legions stationed in the Balkans were eager to stationed in the Balkans were eager to stationed in the Balkans were eager to take their Revenge on valius but not as

take their Revenge on valius but not as take their Revenge on valius but not as eager as the troops eager as the troops eager as the troops themselves the officer stated flatly themselves the officer stated flatly themselves the officer stated flatly that the plan was to wait for muus so that the plan was to wait for muus so that the plan was to wait for muus so that's what they were going to do seeing that's what they were going to do seeing that's what they were going to do seeing an opportunity to bathe himself in glory an opportunity to bathe himself in glory an opportunity to bathe himself in glory though Marcus Antonius Primus broke with though Marcus Antonius Primus broke with though Marcus Antonius Primus broke with his colleagues and argued that they his colleagues and argued that they his colleagues and argued that they should immediately invade Italy while should immediately invade Italy while should immediately invade Italy while the vitalian troops were still drunk the vitalian troops were still drunk the vitalian troops were still drunk with with with Victory the troops couldn't have agreed Victory the troops couldn't have agreed Victory the troops couldn't have agreed more and elected Antonius their new more and elected Antonius their new more and elected Antonius their new general instead of waiting for us to general instead of waiting for us to general instead of waiting for us to arrive Antonius went off the reservation arrive Antonius went off the reservation arrive Antonius went off the reservation and led the legions now under his and led the legions now under his and led the legions now under his command into Italy in other words the command into Italy in other words the command into Italy in other words the army that ultimately won the war for army that ultimately won the war for army that ultimately won the war for Vespasian was never authorized to do Vespasian was never authorized to do Vespasian was never authorized to do what it what it what it did when vellus learned that a flavian did when vellus learned that a flavian did when vellus learned that a flavian army was marching on Italy he dispatched army was marching on Italy he dispatched army was marching on Italy he dispatched kisina to stop their Advance the emperor kisina to stop their Advance the emperor kisina to stop their Advance the emperor no doubt would have sent veence as well no doubt would have sent veence as well no doubt would have sent veence as well but the Elder General was recovering but the Elder General was recovering but the Elder General was recovering from an illness at the time and was from an illness at the time and was from an illness at the time and was unable to make the trip unable to make the trip unable to make the trip for kisina this presented a golden for kisina this presented a golden for kisina this presented a golden opportunity in the months since he had opportunity in the months since he had opportunity in the months since he had helped vitellius become emperor the helped vitellius become emperor the helped vitellius become emperor the young Noble had found himself young Noble had found himself young Noble had found himself increasingly ignored while vein emerged increasingly ignored while vein emerged increasingly ignored while vein emerged as the far more influential as the far more influential as the far more influential adviser whenever vein and kisina adviser whenever vein and kisina adviser whenever vein and kisina disagreed over some issue or another disagreed over some issue or another disagreed over some issue or another vitalius generally backed vitalius generally backed vitalius generally backed vein deeply unhappy with his position vein deeply unhappy with his position vein deeply unhappy with his position kisina marched North at the head of the kisina marched North at the head of the kisina marched North at the head of the vitalian legions thinking deeply not vitalian legions thinking deeply not vitalian legions thinking deeply not about battle plans but but whether or about battle plans but but whether or about battle plans but but whether or not he should defect to

not he should defect to not he should defect to Vespasian he had already been in contact Vespasian he had already been in contact Vespasian he had already been in contact with the commander of the valian naval with the commander of the valian naval with the commander of the valian naval fleet stationed at Rena and the fleet stationed at Rena and the fleet stationed at Rena and the commander there had assured kaisa that commander there had assured kaisa that commander there had assured kaisa that he was going over to best pacan at the he was going over to best pacan at the he was going over to best pacan at the first opportunity kisina he said should first opportunity kisina he said should first opportunity kisina he said should join him on the winning join him on the winning join him on the winning team Antonius arrived in Italy with his team Antonius arrived in Italy with his team Antonius arrived in Italy with his Advanced guard in October and was Advanced guard in October and was Advanced guard in October and was greeted by a much stronger Force led by greeted by a much stronger Force led by greeted by a much stronger Force led by kisina but rather than attack as his men kisina but rather than attack as his men kisina but rather than attack as his men expected kisina opened to negotiations expected kisina opened to negotiations expected kisina opened to negotiations with Antonius hinting elliptically that with Antonius hinting elliptically that with Antonius hinting elliptically that he was willing to betray vitellius if he was willing to betray vitellius if he was willing to betray vitellius if the terms were the terms were the terms were right while he negotiated the rest of right while he negotiated the rest of right while he negotiated the rest of Antonius troops arrived negating the Antonius troops arrived negating the Antonius troops arrived negating the numerical advantage that the Battalion numerical advantage that the Battalion numerical advantage that the Battalion had once had leading the men under cis's had once had leading the men under cis's had once had leading the men under cis's command to wonder just what their command to wonder just what their command to wonder just what their General was up to not long after that General was up to not long after that General was up to not long after that though they got their answer Messengers though they got their answer Messengers though they got their answer Messengers arrived with the news that the Rena arrived with the news that the Rena arrived with the news that the Rena Fleet had defected the Fleet had defected the Fleet had defected the Vespasian kisina called together his Vespasian kisina called together his Vespasian kisina called together his officers and announced that it was officers and announced that it was officers and announced that it was hopeless to fight the flavian onslaught hopeless to fight the flavian onslaught hopeless to fight the flavian onslaught the whole empire was turning against the whole empire was turning against the whole empire was turning against vitellius and they had better join The vitellius and they had better join The vitellius and they had better join The Winning Side before they all found their Winning Side before they all found their Winning Side before they all found their heads on The Chopping heads on The Chopping heads on The Chopping Block he managed to convince the Block he managed to convince the Block he managed to convince the officers but when the regular troops officers but when the regular troops officers but when the regular troops learned of the Betrayal they stormed the learned of the Betrayal they stormed the learned of the Betrayal they stormed the tent and threw the shocked and tent and threw the shocked and tent and threw the shocked and sputtering kisina into chains the men sputtering kisina into chains the men sputtering kisina into chains the men elected new generals and abandoned the elected new generals and abandoned the elected new generals and abandoned the position they had held near Antonius position they had held near Antonius position they had held near Antonius base in base in base in Verona Antonius woke up the next morning Verona Antonius woke up the next morning Verona Antonius woke up the next morning and discovered the Army he thought was and discovered the Army he thought was and discovered the Army he thought was about to join him had suddenly

about to join him had suddenly about to join him had suddenly disappeared into the disappeared into the disappeared into the night but not one to delay Antonius night but not one to delay Antonius night but not one to delay Antonius marched straight away for bedum where he marched straight away for bedum where he marched straight away for bedum where he planned to make a camp from which to planned to make a camp from which to planned to make a camp from which to launch an assault on cromona the Balian launch an assault on cromona the Balian launch an assault on cromona the Balian base of operations in North Italy base of operations in North Italy base of operations in North Italy kaisa's Army had already made for Crona kaisa's Army had already made for Crona kaisa's Army had already made for Crona following their General's aborted following their General's aborted following their General's aborted defection and now waited nervously for defection and now waited nervously for defection and now waited nervously for Antonius to arrive in a few days the two Antonius to arrive in a few days the two Antonius to arrive in a few days the two sides would meet in one of the rarest sides would meet in one of the rarest sides would meet in one of the rarest sites in the ancient world a night sites in the ancient world a night sites in the ancient world a night battle Marching In from the east on battle Marching In from the east on battle Marching In from the east on October the 24th Antonius his army was October the 24th Antonius his army was October the 24th Antonius his army was disrupted by a Balian Cavalry attack and disrupted by a Balian Cavalry attack and disrupted by a Balian Cavalry attack and a brief Skirmish ensued that saw the a brief Skirmish ensued that saw the a brief Skirmish ensued that saw the battalions driven off the flavian Army battalions driven off the flavian Army battalions driven off the flavian Army kept marching but they were unable to kept marching but they were unable to kept marching but they were unable to reach the full vitalian force until late reach the full vitalian force until late reach the full vitalian force until late in the in the in the afternoon flush with Victory the afternoon flush with Victory the afternoon flush with Victory the flavians refused to retire from the flavians refused to retire from the flavians refused to retire from the field for their part the valians were so field for their part the valians were so field for their part the valians were so close to the safety of Crona that they close to the safety of Crona that they close to the safety of Crona that they figured that if things got too hairy figured that if things got too hairy figured that if things got too hairy they could just make a run for it so they could just make a run for it so they could just make a run for it so they too refused to retire for the they too refused to retire for the they too refused to retire for the evening for the next 10 hours the two evening for the next 10 hours the two evening for the next 10 hours the two armies fought a sporadic and bloody armies fought a sporadic and bloody armies fought a sporadic and bloody battle through the night that was still battle through the night that was still battle through the night that was still undecided when the sun rose the next undecided when the sun rose the next undecided when the sun rose the next morning in a quirky Twist of Faith morning in a quirky Twist of Faith morning in a quirky Twist of Faith though the valians Lost heart when they though the valians Lost heart when they though the valians Lost heart when they saw one of the flavian legions turn East saw one of the flavian legions turn East saw one of the flavian legions turn East and clearly greet the arrival of and clearly greet the arrival of and clearly greet the arrival of reinforcements exhausted from the battle reinforcements exhausted from the battle reinforcements exhausted from the battle the valians fled back to the safety of the valians fled back to the safety of the valians fled back to the safety of Crona to wait for their own Crona to wait for their own Crona to wait for their own reinforcements except that there were no

reinforcements except that there were no reinforcements except that there were no flavian flavian flavian reinforcements having spent years reinforcements having spent years reinforcements having spent years stationed in the East the Legion in stationed in the East the Legion in stationed in the East the Legion in question had adopted a local custom of question had adopted a local custom of question had adopted a local custom of greeting the Sun as it Rose each morning greeting the Sun as it Rose each morning greeting the Sun as it Rose each morning at the Second Battle of bedrum the at the Second Battle of bedrum the at the Second Battle of bedrum the valians were finally defeated not by valians were finally defeated not by valians were finally defeated not by force but by a completely harmless force but by a completely harmless force but by a completely harmless religious religious religious ritual despite their own exhaustion ritual despite their own exhaustion ritual despite their own exhaustion Antonius Army closed the last few miles Antonius Army closed the last few miles Antonius Army closed the last few miles to Crona and laid Siege to the city that to Crona and laid Siege to the city that to Crona and laid Siege to the city that morning morning morning first they destroyed the vellan camp first they destroyed the vellan camp first they destroyed the vellan camp outside the walls and then they launched outside the walls and then they launched outside the walls and then they launched a ferocious assault on the city a ferocious assault on the city a ferocious assault on the city itself while the troops and citizens of itself while the troops and citizens of itself while the troops and citizens of the city fought off the attack the the city fought off the attack the the city fought off the attack the officers of the Battalion Army lost hope officers of the Battalion Army lost hope officers of the Battalion Army lost hope they set Kino loose and begged him to they set Kino loose and begged him to they set Kino loose and begged him to negotiate a peace that would spare their negotiate a peace that would spare their negotiate a peace that would spare their lives with the leadership of the army lives with the leadership of the army lives with the leadership of the army protecting them giving up the civilian protecting them giving up the civilian protecting them giving up the civilian leadership of Crona opened their own leadership of Crona opened their own leadership of Crona opened their own talks and in short order both the talks and in short order both the talks and in short order both the vitalian legions and the people of Crona vitalian legions and the people of Crona vitalian legions and the people of Crona emerged from the city to stand before emerged from the city to stand before emerged from the city to stand before the Victorious the Victorious the Victorious flavians it was supposed to be a flavians it was supposed to be a flavians it was supposed to be a peaceful settlement one with no sacking peaceful settlement one with no sacking peaceful settlement one with no sacking but the tired bloody and angry flavian but the tired bloody and angry flavian but the tired bloody and angry flavian troops were in no mood to be denied the troops were in no mood to be denied the troops were in no mood to be denied the loot they saw as rightfully theirs they loot they saw as rightfully theirs they loot they saw as rightfully theirs they believed that they had been promised believed that they had been promised believed that they had been promised Crona as a prize for the extreme effort Crona as a prize for the extreme effort Crona as a prize for the extreme effort they had just expended in taking it but they had just expended in taking it but they had just expended in taking it but it seemed that the officers were now it seemed that the officers were now it seemed that the officers were now conspiring to deny them their prize conspiring to deny them their prize conspiring to deny them their prize so when Antonius entered the city to so when Antonius entered the city to so when Antonius entered the city to take a hot bath his absence allowed the

take a hot bath his absence allowed the take a hot bath his absence allowed the Restraint of his army to slip 40,000 Restraint of his army to slip 40,000 Restraint of his army to slip 40,000 troops poured into Crona grabbing troops poured into Crona grabbing troops poured into Crona grabbing anything that wasn't nailed down and anything that wasn't nailed down and anything that wasn't nailed down and setting fire to the setting fire to the setting fire to the rest when Vespasian learned what had rest when Vespasian learned what had rest when Vespasian learned what had happened he denounced the actions of happened he denounced the actions of happened he denounced the actions of Antonius his army and as Emperor he Antonius his army and as Emperor he Antonius his army and as Emperor he tried to rebuild the city but it would tried to rebuild the city but it would tried to rebuild the city but it would never again rise to the prominence it never again rise to the prominence it never again rise to the prominence it had enjoyed since its founding just had enjoyed since its founding just had enjoyed since its founding just before the Second Punic before the Second Punic before the Second Punic War the battle may not have marked the War the battle may not have marked the War the battle may not have marked the official end of the war but it certainly official end of the war but it certainly official end of the war but it certainly dealt a heavy blow to vitus's dealt a heavy blow to vitus's dealt a heavy blow to vitus's Chances from this point on practically Chances from this point on practically Chances from this point on practically everything pointed to an emperor everything pointed to an emperor everything pointed to an emperor destined to destined to destined to fall veilance had been ordered North fall veilance had been ordered North fall veilance had been ordered North about a week after kisa's departure but about a week after kisa's departure but about a week after kisa's departure but his sluggish Pace left him far from his sluggish Pace left him far from his sluggish Pace left him far from Crona when he learned first of kisa's Crona when he learned first of kisa's Crona when he learned first of kisa's attempted defection and then the sack of attempted defection and then the sack of attempted defection and then the sack of the city the city the city itself he changed Direction and tried to itself he changed Direction and tried to itself he changed Direction and tried to make for Gaul where he'd be able to make for Gaul where he'd be able to make for Gaul where he'd be able to raise reinforcements raise reinforcements raise reinforcements but by this point practically every but by this point practically every but by this point practically every governor in the area was pledging governor in the area was pledging governor in the area was pledging allegiance to allegiance to allegiance to Vespasian vein was captured at se by Vespasian vein was captured at se by Vespasian vein was captured at se by former members of oos petorian guard and former members of oos petorian guard and former members of oos petorian guard and then sent along to Antonius as a gift then sent along to Antonius as a gift then sent along to Antonius as a gift wrap wrap wrap present soon enough vein's head would be present soon enough vein's head would be present soon enough vein's head would be waved before the Battalion troops as waved before the Battalion troops as waved before the Battalion troops as proof that further resistance was proof that further resistance was proof that further resistance was futile K and veence had been the driving futile K and veence had been the driving futile K and veence had been the driving force behind vitus's bid for power and force behind vitus's bid for power and force behind vitus's bid for power and now one of them had turned on him and now one of them had turned on him and now one of them had turned on him and and the other was dead the emperor did and the other was dead the emperor did and the other was dead the emperor did not know what to not know what to not know what to do he marched out of Rome with most of

do he marched out of Rome with most of do he marched out of Rome with most of his new petorian guard to make a stand his new petorian guard to make a stand his new petorian guard to make a stand but upon hearing about more defections but upon hearing about more defections but upon hearing about more defections throughout the Empire he returned to throughout the Empire he returned to throughout the Empire he returned to Rome with half the troops at his Rome with half the troops at his Rome with half the troops at his disposal leaving the rest in place to disposal leaving the rest in place to disposal leaving the rest in place to Halt the advance of Halt the advance of Halt the advance of Antonius as the flavian Army marched Antonius as the flavian Army marched Antonius as the flavian Army marched South both muis and Antonius opened up South both muis and Antonius opened up South both muis and Antonius opened up correspondence with vitellius in an correspondence with vitellius in an correspondence with vitellius in an attempt to secure his abct attempt to secure his abct attempt to secure his abct they promised him his life money and a they promised him his life money and a they promised him his life money and a villa and compia if he agreed to give up villa and compia if he agreed to give up villa and compia if he agreed to give up the throne the throne the throne willingly vitellius in way over his head willingly vitellius in way over his head willingly vitellius in way over his head was eager for the opportunity to get out was eager for the opportunity to get out was eager for the opportunity to get out of all of this with his life so he took of all of this with his life so he took of all of this with his life so he took up negotiations with best Pan's brother up negotiations with best Pan's brother up negotiations with best Pan's brother flavus sabinus who was living in Rome at flavus sabinus who was living in Rome at flavus sabinus who was living in Rome at the the the time but bellus' attempt to abdicate was time but bellus' attempt to abdicate was time but bellus' attempt to abdicate was thwarted by his own thwarted by his own thwarted by his own supporters on December 18 the emperor supporters on December 18 the emperor supporters on December 18 the emperor gave a speech announcing that he was gave a speech announcing that he was gave a speech announcing that he was stepping down much to the dismay of the stepping down much to the dismay of the stepping down much to the dismay of the loyal troops he still had with him they loyal troops he still had with him they loyal troops he still had with him they had all stake their lives to this man had all stake their lives to this man had all stake their lives to this man and now he was simply going to give up and now he was simply going to give up and now he was simply going to give up where did that leave them so as where did that leave them so as where did that leave them so as vitellius attempted to leave the Forum vitellius attempted to leave the Forum vitellius attempted to leave the Forum he was Boxed In by members of his own he was Boxed In by members of his own he was Boxed In by members of his own petorian guard and marched back to the petorian guard and marched back to the petorian guard and marched back to the Palace his resignation aned by the tip Palace his resignation aned by the tip Palace his resignation aned by the tip of a of a of a spear sabinus was at home when he heard spear sabinus was at home when he heard spear sabinus was at home when he heard of vitus's attempted resignation and he of vitus's attempted resignation and he of vitus's attempted resignation and he immediately headed down to the Forum immediately headed down to the Forum immediately headed down to the Forum with an armed guard to issue a with an armed guard to issue a with an armed guard to issue a proclamation in his brother's proclamation in his brother's proclamation in his brother's name but along the way he was surprised name but along the way he was surprised name but along the way he was surprised to find the valians had not in fact

to find the valians had not in fact to find the valians had not in fact given up a brief Skirmish broke out and given up a brief Skirmish broke out and given up a brief Skirmish broke out and sabinus was driven up onto the sabinus was driven up onto the sabinus was driven up onto the capitaline hill where he and his men capitaline hill where he and his men capitaline hill where he and his men barricaded barricaded barricaded themselves over the course of a night themselves over the course of a night themselves over the course of a night and a day the vitalian forces attempted and a day the vitalian forces attempted and a day the vitalian forces attempted to dislodge sabinus and in the process to dislodge sabinus and in the process to dislodge sabinus and in the process the Temple of Jupiter one of the most the Temple of Jupiter one of the most the Temple of Jupiter one of the most important temples in Rome was burned to important temples in Rome was burned to important temples in Rome was burned to the the the ground with the fire raging The Men Who ground with the fire raging The Men Who ground with the fire raging The Men Who had surrounded sabinus deserted him and had surrounded sabinus deserted him and had surrounded sabinus deserted him and he was eventually captured by the he was eventually captured by the he was eventually captured by the Battalion and executed the execution of vespasian's executed the execution of vespasian's brother precluded all future brother precluded all future brother precluded all future negotiations the army of Antonius now negotiations the army of Antonius now negotiations the army of Antonius now only miles from Rome learned of the only miles from Rome learned of the only miles from Rome learned of the incident and made straight away for the incident and made straight away for the incident and made straight away for the city at first Antonius hesitated city at first Antonius hesitated city at first Antonius hesitated understandably nervous that attacking understandably nervous that attacking understandably nervous that attacking Rome itself would irreparably damage Rome itself would irreparably damage Rome itself would irreparably damage vaspian and his own reputation to the vaspian and his own reputation to the vaspian and his own reputation to the point that even a victory would be a point that even a victory would be a point that even a victory would be a defeat but his men convinced him that defeat but his men convinced him that defeat but his men convinced him that they ought not bulk now that the empire they ought not bulk now that the empire they ought not bulk now that the empire was in their was in their was in their hands Antonius divided his army into hands Antonius divided his army into hands Antonius divided his army into thirds and attacked at three different thirds and attacked at three different thirds and attacked at three different Gates two of the gates were easily Gates two of the gates were easily Gates two of the gates were easily breached as they were only guarded by an breached as they were only guarded by an breached as they were only guarded by an untrained mix of Civilian militia but untrained mix of Civilian militia but untrained mix of Civilian militia but the fighting at the coine gate was the fighting at the coine gate was the fighting at the coine gate was intense the outnumbered valians were intense the outnumbered valians were intense the outnumbered valians were eventually pressed back and forced to eventually pressed back and forced to eventually pressed back and forced to make a Last Stand within the petorian make a Last Stand within the petorian make a Last Stand within the petorian camp but despite heav heavy casualties camp but despite heav heavy casualties camp but despite heav heavy casualties the flavians finally breached the walls the flavians finally breached the walls the flavians finally breached the walls led by the former members of oos led by the former members of oos led by the former members of oos petorian guard who viewed reclaiming the petorian guard who viewed reclaiming the petorian guard who viewed reclaiming the camp as a matter of personal

camp as a matter of personal camp as a matter of personal honor vellus was now all alone his honor vellus was now all alone his honor vellus was now all alone his attempt to give up had failed and he attempt to give up had failed and he attempt to give up had failed and he wandered the deserted Imperial Palace in wandered the deserted Imperial Palace in wandered the deserted Imperial Palace in shock trying to figure out what to do shock trying to figure out what to do shock trying to figure out what to do next eventually the incoming flavian next eventually the incoming flavian next eventually the incoming flavian Army stumbled upon him and took him Army stumbled upon him and took him Army stumbled upon him and took him prisoner they marched him blubbering prisoner they marched him blubbering prisoner they marched him blubbering through the streets to the steps of through the streets to the steps of through the streets to the steps of lamentation where he was unceremoniously lamentation where he was unceremoniously lamentation where he was unceremoniously beheaded as insults rain down upon him beheaded as insults rain down upon him beheaded as insults rain down upon him his head was paraded through the city as his head was paraded through the city as his head was paraded through the city as a trophy and his body thrown in the a trophy and his body thrown in the a trophy and his body thrown in the Tyber vellus was 54 years old when he Tyber vellus was 54 years old when he Tyber vellus was 54 years old when he died and had reigned for just over 9 died and had reigned for just over 9 died and had reigned for just over 9 months his death would bring a violent months his death would bring a violent months his death would bring a violent close to a violent year on the 20th of close to a violent year on the 20th of close to a violent year on the 20th of September the Senate met and unanimously September the Senate met and unanimously September the Senate met and unanimously declared Vespasian declared Vespasian declared Vespasian Emperor it would be understandable if Emperor it would be understandable if Emperor it would be understandable if the noou doubt skittish citizens of the the noou doubt skittish citizens of the the noou doubt skittish citizens of the empire were a bit skeptical that this empire were a bit skeptical that this empire were a bit skeptical that this really was an end to the chaos but as really was an end to the chaos but as really was an end to the chaos but as the months passed into years and no the months passed into years and no the months passed into years and no other Pretender to the throne arose they other Pretender to the throne arose they other Pretender to the throne arose they began to get comfortable with the idea began to get comfortable with the idea began to get comfortable with the idea that things had sort of returned to that things had sort of returned to that things had sort of returned to normal that they could fully Embrace normal that they could fully Embrace normal that they could fully Embrace this new Dynasty the flavian Dynasty before we go this week I just Dynasty before we go this week I just want to mention that Lis brownworth want to mention that Lis brownworth want to mention that Lis brownworth whose book I just recommended you buy is whose book I just recommended you buy is whose book I just recommended you buy is in the process of gauging interest for a in the process of gauging interest for a in the process of gauging interest for a lecture tour in early lecture tour in early lecture tour in early 2010 since we have so many listeners in 2010 since we have so many listeners in 2010 since we have so many listeners in common they've asked me to ask you if common they've asked me to ask you if common they've asked me to ask you if anyone in and around Boston New York

anyone in and around Boston New York anyone in and around Boston New York Washington DC Chicago and San Francisco Washington DC Chicago and San Francisco Washington DC Chicago and San Francisco would be interested in such a thing I'm would be interested in such a thing I'm would be interested in such a thing I'm also going to add Austin Texas to the also going to add Austin Texas to the also going to add Austin Texas to the list because that's where I live now and list because that's where I live now and list because that's where I live now and I think he should come down here I'll I think he should come down here I'll I think he should come down here I'll post some links at the historyof rome. post some links at the historyof rome. post some links at the historyof rome. typepad.com so that you can either email typepad.com so that you can either email typepad.com so that you can either email superfan Deb Liff with your thoughts or superfan Deb Liff with your thoughts or superfan Deb Liff with your thoughts or sound off at the Forum gorum the sound off at the Forum gorum the sound off at the Forum gorum the discussion Community for the history of discussion Community for the history of discussion Community for the history of Rome that de LEF has set up Rome that de LEF has set up Rome that de LEF has set up [Music] hello and welcome to the history of hello and welcome to the history of Rome episode 73 the only man who Rome episode 73 the only man who Rome episode 73 the only man who improved at the beginning of his improved at the beginning of his improved at the beginning of his histories tacitus claims that the year histories tacitus claims that the year histories tacitus claims that the year 69 ad was very nearly the last of Rome's 69 ad was very nearly the last of Rome's 69 ad was very nearly the last of Rome's existence while this can be easily set existence while this can be easily set existence while this can be easily set aside as dramatic exaggeration there is aside as dramatic exaggeration there is aside as dramatic exaggeration there is no doubt that the last 18 months had no doubt that the last 18 months had no doubt that the last 18 months had taken their toll on the Empire lives had taken their toll on the Empire lives had taken their toll on the Empire lives had been lost property had been destroyed been lost property had been destroyed been lost property had been destroyed and the rule of law had been thrown out and the rule of law had been thrown out and the rule of law had been thrown out the the the window it would take more than a year of window it would take more than a year of window it would take more than a year of Civil War to destroy the Empire but if

Civil War to destroy the Empire but if Civil War to destroy the Empire but if things had gone on like they had been things had gone on like they had been things had gone on like they had been going since the suicide of Nero the going since the suicide of Nero the going since the suicide of Nero the Romans very well could have been facing Romans very well could have been facing Romans very well could have been facing the end of their the end of their the end of their civilization luckily for the Romans by civilization luckily for the Romans by civilization luckily for the Romans by the time the Senate recognized Vespasian the time the Senate recognized Vespasian the time the Senate recognized Vespasian as emperor in the last days of December as emperor in the last days of December as emperor in the last days of December 69 ad The Civil Wars had already swept 69 ad The Civil Wars had already swept 69 ad The Civil Wars had already swept up all the legions from Spain to Syria up all the legions from Spain to Syria up all the legions from Spain to Syria and deposited them in Italy to fight it and deposited them in Italy to fight it and deposited them in Italy to fight it out anyone who was in a position to make out anyone who was in a position to make out anyone who was in a position to make a bid for the throne had already tried a bid for the throne had already tried a bid for the throne had already tried so there was no one left to perpetuate so there was no one left to perpetuate so there was no one left to perpetuate the cycle of Ascension and deposition the cycle of Ascension and deposition the cycle of Ascension and deposition once vpan forces had overthrown once vpan forces had overthrown once vpan forces had overthrown vitellius so things did not go on as vitellius so things did not go on as vitellius so things did not go on as they had and Roman civilization survived they had and Roman civilization survived they had and Roman civilization survived battered but far from battered but far from battered but far from beaten an important thing to take away beaten an important thing to take away beaten an important thing to take away from this reality is to understand that from this reality is to understand that from this reality is to understand that there was nothing special or divine or there was nothing special or divine or there was nothing special or divine or Cosmic about vespasian's rise unlike Cosmic about vespasian's rise unlike Cosmic about vespasian's rise unlike Marius or suah or Julius Caesar or Marius or suah or Julius Caesar or Marius or suah or Julius Caesar or Augustus he did not really possess the Augustus he did not really possess the Augustus he did not really possess the phenomenal Charisma or military phenomenal Charisma or military phenomenal Charisma or military Brilliance that had allowed those men to Brilliance that had allowed those men to Brilliance that had allowed those men to outshine their Rivals and remake their outshine their Rivals and remake their outshine their Rivals and remake their own world he simply got into an own world he simply got into an own world he simply got into an exhausting tug-of-war later than the exhausting tug-of-war later than the exhausting tug-of-war later than the others had and was thus able to Outlast others had and was thus able to Outlast others had and was thus able to Outlast the last of them this is not to say that the last of them this is not to say that the last of them this is not to say that he wasn't charismatic or intelligent he wasn't charismatic or intelligent he wasn't charismatic or intelligent just that his fortuitous placement in just that his fortuitous placement in just that his fortuitous placement in the east at the beginning of of the year the east at the beginning of of the year the east at the beginning of of the year had as much to do with his success as had as much to do with his success as had as much to do with his success as his own his own his own personality but though he rode a wave of personality but though he rode a wave of personality but though he rode a wave of circumstance to power essentially being circumstance to power essentially being circumstance to power essentially being in the right place at the right time in the right place at the right time in the right place at the right time Rome's luck would mirror that of their

Rome's luck would mirror that of their Rome's luck would mirror that of their new ruler Vespasian turned out to be a new ruler Vespasian turned out to be a new ruler Vespasian turned out to be a pretty good pretty good pretty good emperor in fact his unremarkable emperor in fact his unremarkable emperor in fact his unremarkable biography up to that point prompted biography up to that point prompted biography up to that point prompted tacitus to report that Vespasian was the tacitus to report that Vespasian was the tacitus to report that Vespasian was the only emperor in history to improve only emperor in history to improve only emperor in history to improve himself upon taking himself upon taking himself upon taking office the first few weeks of his Reign office the first few weeks of his Reign office the first few weeks of his Reign however did nothing to presage the however did nothing to presage the however did nothing to presage the moderate Administration that he would be moderate Administration that he would be moderate Administration that he would be remembered for Antonius his army had remembered for Antonius his army had remembered for Antonius his army had taken Rome by force and unchecked by any taken Rome by force and unchecked by any taken Rome by force and unchecked by any higher power the troops continued to run higher power the troops continued to run higher power the troops continued to run a muck in the streets the petorian guard a muck in the streets the petorian guard a muck in the streets the petorian guard and the urban cohorts who usually took and the urban cohorts who usually took and the urban cohorts who usually took the lead in maintaining Law and Order the lead in maintaining Law and Order the lead in maintaining Law and Order were all either captured out on the were all either captured out on the were all either captured out on the Frontiers or dead in the field so there Frontiers or dead in the field so there Frontiers or dead in the field so there was no one to stand up to Antonius Army was no one to stand up to Antonius Army was no one to stand up to Antonius Army as they treated Rome as if it was a as they treated Rome as if it was a as they treated Rome as if it was a captured enemy City captured enemy City captured enemy City on top of everything career criminals on top of everything career criminals on top of everything career criminals and citizens with old scores to settle and citizens with old scores to settle and citizens with old scores to settle masqueraded as flavian soldiers and masqueraded as flavian soldiers and masqueraded as flavian soldiers and joined in the anarchic joined in the anarchic joined in the anarchic pillaging tacitus exaggerates when he pillaging tacitus exaggerates when he pillaging tacitus exaggerates when he says that 50,000 people were killed in says that 50,000 people were killed in says that 50,000 people were killed in those first bloody weeks but there is no those first bloody weeks but there is no those first bloody weeks but there is no denying that the death toll would have denying that the death toll would have denying that the death toll would have been been been high things began to settle down when high things began to settle down when high things began to settle down when muus arrived in the first week of muus arrived in the first week of muus arrived in the first week of January 70 AD Antonius had been acting January 70 AD Antonius had been acting January 70 AD Antonius had been acting this whole time on his own initiative this whole time on his own initiative this whole time on his own initiative and though the flavian high command had and though the flavian high command had and though the flavian high command had been smart enough to get out of the way been smart enough to get out of the way been smart enough to get out of the way of the man who was winning the war for of the man who was winning the war for of the man who was winning the war for them that did not mean that Antonius them that did not mean that Antonius them that did not mean that Antonius represented vaspian in any official or represented vaspian in any official or represented vaspian in any official or political sense muis however carried

political sense muis however carried political sense muis however carried with him the Seal of the new emperor and with him the Seal of the new emperor and with him the Seal of the new emperor and was fully empowered to act in was fully empowered to act in was fully empowered to act in vespasian's name when he arrived with vespasian's name when he arrived with vespasian's name when he arrived with his armies it was as if Vespasian his armies it was as if Vespasian his armies it was as if Vespasian himself had arrived and muis had both himself had arrived and muis had both himself had arrived and muis had both the ability and the ego to act the the ability and the ego to act the the ability and the ego to act the part the first thing that needed to part the first thing that needed to part the first thing that needed to happen obviously was to get all the happen obviously was to get all the happen obviously was to get all the troops out of troops out of troops out of Rome the city had been occupied for Rome the city had been occupied for Rome the city had been occupied for months by squatting legionaries and the months by squatting legionaries and the months by squatting legionaries and the resulting chaos death and property resulting chaos death and property resulting chaos death and property damage had to be dealt with Antonius damage had to be dealt with Antonius damage had to be dealt with Antonius Legions were either ordered back from Legions were either ordered back from Legions were either ordered back from whence they came or in a few cases whence they came or in a few cases whence they came or in a few cases reassigned to the Rind to help bolster reassigned to the Rind to help bolster reassigned to the Rind to help bolster the now weakened Garrison there with the now weakened Garrison there with the now weakened Garrison there with order restored muis set about order restored muis set about order restored muis set about consolidating vespasian's political consolidating vespasian's political consolidating vespasian's political position or I suppose I should really position or I suppose I should really position or I suppose I should really say muis set about consolidating mu' say muis set about consolidating mu' say muis set about consolidating mu' political position and then he took care political position and then he took care political position and then he took care of vespasian's of vespasian's of vespasian's business he rewarded Antonius his business he rewarded Antonius his business he rewarded Antonius his service by offering him galbis old proc service by offering him galbis old proc service by offering him galbis old proc Consular position in Spain quickly Consular position in Spain quickly Consular position in Spain quickly removing one of the two key Rivals for removing one of the two key Rivals for removing one of the two key Rivals for power he needed to neutralize before he power he needed to neutralize before he power he needed to neutralize before he felt secure in his felt secure in his felt secure in his position the other key rival was position the other key rival was position the other key rival was 18-year-old D Mission the youngest son 18-year-old D Mission the youngest son 18-year-old D Mission the youngest son of Vespasian who had spent the year of of Vespasian who had spent the year of of Vespasian who had spent the year of the four Emperors in Rome immediately the four Emperors in Rome immediately the four Emperors in Rome immediately following V I's death flavian supporters following V I's death flavian supporters following V I's death flavian supporters had brought the boy out of hiding had brought the boy out of hiding had brought the boy out of hiding declared him Caesar and paraded him declared him Caesar and paraded him declared him Caesar and paraded him around as their natural leader when muis around as their natural leader when muis around as their natural leader when muis arrived in the city though he placed a arrived in the city though he placed a arrived in the city though he placed a mission under his personal protection mission under his personal protection mission under his personal protection and promised to keep the boy safe until

and promised to keep the boy safe until and promised to keep the boy safe until his father arrived to collect him in his father arrived to collect him in his father arrived to collect him in other words don't anybody get confused other words don't anybody get confused other words don't anybody get confused I'm in charge here not the boy then he I'm in charge here not the boy then he I'm in charge here not the boy then he set to work settling vaspian set to work settling vaspian set to work settling vaspian scores in all of this the new emperor scores in all of this the new emperor scores in all of this the new emperor was blessed by remaining physically was blessed by remaining physically was blessed by remaining physically absent from the city he could thus absent from the city he could thus absent from the city he could thus plausibly disavow first the Carnage plausibly disavow first the Carnage plausibly disavow first the Carnage wrought by Antonius his army and then wrought by Antonius his army and then wrought by Antonius his army and then the purge overseen by the purge overseen by the purge overseen by muis it had taken a lot of blood to put muis it had taken a lot of blood to put muis it had taken a lot of blood to put Vespasian on the throne but none of it Vespasian on the throne but none of it Vespasian on the throne but none of it actually wound up on his actually wound up on his actually wound up on his hands when he finally arrived in Rome in hands when he finally arrived in Rome in hands when he finally arrived in Rome in mid to late 70 he was greeted warmly by mid to late 70 he was greeted warmly by mid to late 70 he was greeted warmly by a population who praised him for all a population who praised him for all a population who praised him for all that was good while refusing to blame that was good while refusing to blame that was good while refusing to blame him for all that was bad all in all a him for all that was bad all in all a him for all that was bad all in all a nice place to nice place to nice place to be now I just said that there was be now I just said that there was be now I just said that there was nothing really remarkable about nothing really remarkable about nothing really remarkable about Vespasian and that he certainly wasn't Vespasian and that he certainly wasn't Vespasian and that he certainly wasn't on the level of Julius Caesar or on the level of Julius Caesar or on the level of Julius Caesar or Augustus in terms of overall ability but Augustus in terms of overall ability but Augustus in terms of overall ability but if there was one realm that he did excel if there was one realm that he did excel if there was one realm that he did excel at it was propaganda and the management at it was propaganda and the management at it was propaganda and the management of public of public of public perception in this he was every bit as perception in this he was every bit as perception in this he was every bit as Savvy as the greatest of his Savvy as the greatest of his Savvy as the greatest of his predecessors he was acutely aware of the predecessors he was acutely aware of the predecessors he was acutely aware of the need to legitimize his Reign and restore need to legitimize his Reign and restore need to legitimize his Reign and restore public respect for imperialism Authority public respect for imperialism Authority public respect for imperialism Authority which was practically non-existent now which was practically non-existent now which was practically non-existent now after the musical chairs of the previous after the musical chairs of the previous after the musical chairs of the previous year he encouraged the spread of Eastern year he encouraged the spread of Eastern year he encouraged the spread of Eastern prophecies that had supposedly foretold prophecies that had supposedly foretold prophecies that had supposedly foretold his rise to power and did nothing to his rise to power and did nothing to his rise to power and did nothing to dispel rumors that he had miraculously

dispel rumors that he had miraculously dispel rumors that he had miraculously returned sight to a blind man and returned sight to a blind man and returned sight to a blind man and restored the withered legs of a restored the withered legs of a restored the withered legs of a vaspian knew that he was just a vaspian knew that he was just a vaspian knew that he was just a man but it was important for the people man but it was important for the people man but it was important for the people to believe that he was perhaps something to believe that he was perhaps something to believe that he was perhaps something a bit a bit a bit more Beyond this subtle mysticism the more Beyond this subtle mysticism the more Beyond this subtle mysticism the iconography of the coins minted during iconography of the coins minted during iconography of the coins minted during his Reign One of the key vehicles for his Reign One of the key vehicles for his Reign One of the key vehicles for massaging reality in ancient Rome harped massaging reality in ancient Rome harped massaging reality in ancient Rome harped relentlessly on two themes peace and relentlessly on two themes peace and relentlessly on two themes peace and victory vaspian is the one who brings victory vaspian is the one who brings victory vaspian is the one who brings you peace Vespasian is the one who will you peace Vespasian is the one who will you peace Vespasian is the one who will defeat the enemies of defeat the enemies of defeat the enemies of Peace these powerfully simple ideas form Peace these powerfully simple ideas form Peace these powerfully simple ideas form the Bedrock of the new flavian the Bedrock of the new flavian the Bedrock of the new flavian Administration and helped put the dark Administration and helped put the dark Administration and helped put the dark days of Civil War in the rearview mirror days of Civil War in the rearview mirror days of Civil War in the rearview mirror but Vespasian added one further wrinkle but Vespasian added one further wrinkle but Vespasian added one further wrinkle to his propaganda campaign and it was to his propaganda campaign and it was to his propaganda campaign and it was this final wrinkle that really endeared this final wrinkle that really endeared this final wrinkle that really endeared him to the him to the him to the people though he encouraged the belief people though he encouraged the belief people though he encouraged the belief that he could heal the sick or was an that he could heal the sick or was an that he could heal the sick or was an irresistible Force destined to rule the irresistible Force destined to rule the irresistible Force destined to rule the Empire when you actually talk to the man Empire when you actually talk to the man Empire when you actually talk to the man he was refreshingly he was refreshingly he was refreshingly self-deprecating he knew he was not self-deprecating he knew he was not self-deprecating he knew he was not descended from some ancient line of descended from some ancient line of descended from some ancient line of nobility he knew that he was an nobility he knew that he was an nobility he knew that he was an unrefined rustic and he knew that he was unrefined rustic and he knew that he was unrefined rustic and he knew that he was too old to pretend to be otherwise too old to pretend to be otherwise too old to pretend to be otherwise when some of his supporters presented when some of his supporters presented when some of his supporters presented him with a family tree that traced his him with a family tree that traced his him with a family tree that traced his ancestors back to one of the comrades of ancestors back to one of the comrades of ancestors back to one of the comrades of Hercules Vespasian simply burst out Hercules Vespasian simply burst out Hercules Vespasian simply burst out laughing and sent them on their laughing and sent them on their laughing and sent them on their way he liked to tell off-color jokes eat way he liked to tell off-color jokes eat way he liked to tell off-color jokes eat simple foods and even caused a minor

simple foods and even caused a minor simple foods and even caused a minor Scandal when it got out that he took his Scandal when it got out that he took his Scandal when it got out that he took his own boots off in the evening needless to own boots off in the evening needless to own boots off in the evening needless to say after the sometimes waning but say after the sometimes waning but say after the sometimes waning but usually waxing megalomania of the Julio usually waxing megalomania of the Julio usually waxing megalomania of the Julio claudians vespasian's downhome charm was claudians vespasian's downhome charm was claudians vespasian's downhome charm was welcome change of welcome change of welcome change of pace of course we know all of this pace of course we know all of this pace of course we know all of this because as part of his propaganda because as part of his propaganda because as part of his propaganda campaign vaspian also made sure to campaign vaspian also made sure to campaign vaspian also made sure to patronize the heck out of the Arts and patronize the heck out of the Arts and patronize the heck out of the Arts and letters he put teachers on the public letters he put teachers on the public letters he put teachers on the public payroll for the first time and payroll for the first time and payroll for the first time and commissioned histories to be written to commissioned histories to be written to commissioned histories to be written to ensure that the flavian version of ensure that the flavian version of ensure that the flavian version of History would become the only version History would become the only version History would become the only version taught so who knows where fact and taught so who knows where fact and taught so who knows where fact and fiction diverg but we do know that fiction diverg but we do know that fiction diverg but we do know that Vespasian was the first emperor since Vespasian was the first emperor since Vespasian was the first emperor since Augustus to die of natural causes so it Augustus to die of natural causes so it Augustus to die of natural causes so it is not unreasonable to think that he was is not unreasonable to think that he was is not unreasonable to think that he was well regarded in his own well regarded in his own well regarded in his own time ironically though as much as he time ironically though as much as he time ironically though as much as he sponsored Scholars to write glowing sponsored Scholars to write glowing sponsored Scholars to write glowing histories of his rise to power and what histories of his rise to power and what histories of his rise to power and what he did when he got there precious little he did when he got there precious little he did when he got there precious little has actually survived about vespasian's has actually survived about vespasian's has actually survived about vespasian's time as Emperor he was in office from time as Emperor he was in office from time as Emperor he was in office from December 69 ad until his death in June December 69 ad until his death in June December 69 ad until his death in June of 79 and all we have to draw on to of 79 and all we have to draw on to of 79 and all we have to draw on to describe that decade are scattered describe that decade are scattered describe that decade are scattered anecdotes what we do know is that his anecdotes what we do know is that his anecdotes what we do know is that his Reign seem seems to have been focused on Reign seem seems to have been focused on Reign seem seems to have been focused on physically rebuilding the Empire and physically rebuilding the Empire and physically rebuilding the Empire and setting the government back on firm setting the government back on firm setting the government back on firm Financial Financial Financial footing to take the latter Point first footing to take the latter Point first footing to take the latter Point first Vespasian inherited an empty Treasury Vespasian inherited an empty Treasury Vespasian inherited an empty Treasury and a shattered tax code and aimed to do and a shattered tax code and aimed to do and a shattered tax code and aimed to do something about it Rome had been something about it Rome had been something about it Rome had been grappling with the hangover from Nero's

grappling with the hangover from Nero's grappling with the hangover from Nero's excesses when it had gone and tacked on excesses when it had gone and tacked on excesses when it had gone and tacked on a Year's worth of Civil War to the a Year's worth of Civil War to the a Year's worth of Civil War to the tab upon taking office vaspian estimated tab upon taking office vaspian estimated tab upon taking office vaspian estimated that he would need quote 40,000 million that he would need quote 40,000 million that he would need quote 40,000 million stes to get the Empire back on its feet stes to get the Empire back on its feet stes to get the Empire back on its feet because it is nearly impossible to because it is nearly impossible to because it is nearly impossible to accurately convert ancient denominations accurately convert ancient denominations accurately convert ancient denominations to a modern equivalence we're just going to a modern equivalence we're just going to a modern equivalence we're just going to have to leave that as Vespasian was to have to leave that as Vespasian was to have to leave that as Vespasian was about to go hunting for an astronomical about to go hunting for an astronomical about to go hunting for an astronomical sum of sum of sum of money he doubled the tax burden in the money he doubled the tax burden in the money he doubled the tax burden in the provinces which yeah I think everyone provinces which yeah I think everyone provinces which yeah I think everyone saw that coming but he also engaged in saw that coming but he also engaged in saw that coming but he also engaged in some pretty unseemly business practices some pretty unseemly business practices some pretty unseemly business practices that stood as the only real blemish on that stood as the only real blemish on that stood as the only real blemish on his record for example example the his record for example example the his record for example example the emperor didn't think twice about emperor didn't think twice about emperor didn't think twice about accepting bribes to decide court cases accepting bribes to decide court cases accepting bribes to decide court cases this way or that and he openly this way or that and he openly this way or that and he openly encouraged office Seekers to deposit encouraged office Seekers to deposit encouraged office Seekers to deposit into the Imperial treasury an amount into the Imperial treasury an amount into the Imperial treasury an amount that they felt Quantified their desire that they felt Quantified their desire that they felt Quantified their desire for a given for a given for a given post Vespasian was also fond of using post Vespasian was also fond of using post Vespasian was also fond of using his agents to Corner the market on his agents to Corner the market on his agents to Corner the market on various scarce goods and then jacking up various scarce goods and then jacking up various scarce goods and then jacking up the price once a monopoly had been the price once a monopoly had been the price once a monopoly had been achieved and in perhaps his most achieved and in perhaps his most achieved and in perhaps his most diabolical scheme the emperor would let diabolical scheme the emperor would let diabolical scheme the emperor would let loose corrupt tax collectors and look loose corrupt tax collectors and look loose corrupt tax collectors and look the other way as they extorted the the other way as they extorted the the other way as they extorted the population to their own financial population to their own financial population to their own financial advantage then when the collector had advantage then when the collector had advantage then when the collector had gotten Rich enough Vespasian would gotten Rich enough Vespasian would gotten Rich enough Vespasian would suddenly discover their fraud and swoop suddenly discover their fraud and swoop suddenly discover their fraud and swoop in to punish the criminal and seize the in to punish the criminal and seize the in to punish the criminal and seize the ill-gotten ill-gotten ill-gotten assets the pattern repeated itself assets the pattern repeated itself assets the pattern repeated itself enough that the people began to refer to enough that the people began to refer to enough that the people began to refer to these men as Vespasian sponges who would

these men as Vespasian sponges who would these men as Vespasian sponges who would soak up all the gold before being rung soak up all the gold before being rung soak up all the gold before being rung out by the out by the out by the emperor he also dreamed up new taxes emperor he also dreamed up new taxes emperor he also dreamed up new taxes that hit the usually exempt citizens of that hit the usually exempt citizens of that hit the usually exempt citizens of Italy Italy Italy perhaps the most famous of these was his perhaps the most famous of these was his perhaps the most famous of these was his so-called toilet tax in ancient Rome so-called toilet tax in ancient Rome so-called toilet tax in ancient Rome urine was deposited in huge cess pools urine was deposited in huge cess pools urine was deposited in huge cess pools and then resold by the collectors for a and then resold by the collectors for a and then resold by the collectors for a variety of industrial variety of industrial variety of industrial applications vaspian imposed a tax on applications vaspian imposed a tax on applications vaspian imposed a tax on the purchase of said urine which ignited the purchase of said urine which ignited the purchase of said urine which ignited an outcry that eventually wound its way an outcry that eventually wound its way an outcry that eventually wound its way back to vaspian by way of his son Titus back to vaspian by way of his son Titus back to vaspian by way of his son Titus arguing to his father that there was arguing to his father that there was arguing to his father that there was something a bit off about using sewer something a bit off about using sewer something a bit off about using sewer money Vespasian smelled the coins Titus money Vespasian smelled the coins Titus money Vespasian smelled the coins Titus had brought along and famously declared had brought along and famously declared had brought along and famously declared that money does not that money does not that money does not stink which more or less summed up VES stink which more or less summed up VES stink which more or less summed up VES Pan's whole attitude towards Revenue Pan's whole attitude towards Revenue Pan's whole attitude towards Revenue generation but though no one liked how generation but though no one liked how generation but though no one liked how he got the money vespasian's reputation he got the money vespasian's reputation he got the money vespasian's reputation did not suffer too much as he always did not suffer too much as he always did not suffer too much as he always plowed the profits right back into the plowed the profits right back into the plowed the profits right back into the Empire though his infrastructure Empire though his infrastructure Empire though his infrastructure projects could be seen as an extension projects could be seen as an extension projects could be seen as an extension of his public relations campaign there of his public relations campaign there of his public relations campaign there is no denying that both within Rome and is no denying that both within Rome and is no denying that both within Rome and out in the provinces good good work was out in the provinces good good work was out in the provinces good good work was being done to improve the material lives being done to improve the material lives being done to improve the material lives of the of the of the citizens between the neglect of Nero and citizens between the neglect of Nero and citizens between the neglect of Nero and the Civil Wars that followed his death the Civil Wars that followed his death the Civil Wars that followed his death the Eternal City itself was beginning to the Eternal City itself was beginning to the Eternal City itself was beginning to look like a crumbling shadow of its look like a crumbling shadow of its look like a crumbling shadow of its former former former self vpan encouraged the rebuilding of self vpan encouraged the rebuilding of self vpan encouraged the rebuilding of damaged buildings allowed new owners to damaged buildings allowed new owners to damaged buildings allowed new owners to take control of Forgotten vacant Lots

take control of Forgotten vacant Lots take control of Forgotten vacant Lots while he himself took the lead in while he himself took the lead in while he himself took the lead in repairing the burned out capitaline Hill repairing the burned out capitaline Hill repairing the burned out capitaline Hill and finishing construction on the and finishing construction on the and finishing construction on the abandoned Temple of abandoned Temple of abandoned Temple of Claudius his crowning achievement though Claudius his crowning achievement though Claudius his crowning achievement though was his plan for the remains of Nero's was his plan for the remains of Nero's was his plan for the remains of Nero's Golden Golden Golden Palace the sprawling complex that had Palace the sprawling complex that had Palace the sprawling complex that had eaten away the heart of the city was eaten away the heart of the city was eaten away the heart of the city was dismantled and in its place Vespasian dismantled and in its place Vespasian dismantled and in its place Vespasian ordered the construction of a massive ordered the construction of a massive ordered the construction of a massive Amphitheater rising from the drained bed Amphitheater rising from the drained bed Amphitheater rising from the drained bed of Nero's old private Lake what became of Nero's old private Lake what became of Nero's old private Lake what became known as simply the Coliseum took shape known as simply the Coliseum took shape known as simply the Coliseum took shape over the next decade and though he would over the next decade and though he would over the next decade and though he would not live to see the completion of what not live to see the completion of what not live to see the completion of what the Romans called the flavian the Romans called the flavian the Romans called the flavian amphitheater when the stadium was amphitheater when the stadium was amphitheater when the stadium was dedicated by his son Titus in 80 ad it dedicated by his son Titus in 80 ad it dedicated by his son Titus in 80 ad it quickly became one of the most famous quickly became one of the most famous quickly became one of the most famous architectural achievements in architectural achievements in architectural achievements in history but he did not simply focus on history but he did not simply focus on history but he did not simply focus on Rome itself Vespasian was quick to send Rome itself Vespasian was quick to send Rome itself Vespasian was quick to send money and resources whenever some region money and resources whenever some region money and resources whenever some region or another was hit with a natural or another was hit with a natural or another was hit with a natural disaster so that rather than being left disaster so that rather than being left disaster so that rather than being left to fend for themselves the victims of to fend for themselves the victims of to fend for themselves the victims of floods fires and earthquakes found a floods fires and earthquakes found a floods fires and earthquakes found a friend in the friend in the friend in the emperor after years of enduring a emperor after years of enduring a emperor after years of enduring a reclusive and disinterested typ IUS a reclusive and disinterested typ IUS a reclusive and disinterested typ IUS a megalomaniacal Caligula an admittedly megalomaniacal Caligula an admittedly megalomaniacal Caligula an admittedly decent Claudius but then a cruy decent Claudius but then a cruy decent Claudius but then a cruy self-absorbed Nero vespasian's actions self-absorbed Nero vespasian's actions self-absorbed Nero vespasian's actions were nothing short of a political and were nothing short of a political and were nothing short of a political and fiscal fiscal fiscal Revolution for Vespasian it was an easy Revolution for Vespasian it was an easy Revolution for Vespasian it was an easy call using the Imperial treasury for the call using the Imperial treasury for the call using the Imperial treasury for the material benefit of the Empire conformed material benefit of the Empire conformed material benefit of the Empire conformed with his compassionate nature but it

with his compassionate nature but it with his compassionate nature but it also conformed with his pragmatic nature also conformed with his pragmatic nature also conformed with his pragmatic nature because usually a small investment was because usually a small investment was because usually a small investment was all that was required to keep the people all that was required to keep the people all that was required to keep the people happy and paying their taxes vespasian's pragmatic compassion taxes vespasian's pragmatic compassion extended up and down the social classes extended up and down the social classes extended up and down the social classes and earned him praise from commoner and and earned him praise from commoner and and earned him praise from commoner and Noble Noble Noble alike after the chaotic splintering of alike after the chaotic splintering of alike after the chaotic splintering of the upper classes during the Civil Wars the upper classes during the Civil Wars the upper classes during the Civil Wars the ranks of the senatorial and the ranks of the senatorial and the ranks of the senatorial and Equestrian Orders was a confused mess so Equestrian Orders was a confused mess so Equestrian Orders was a confused mess so Vespasian reorganized the ranks to Vespasian reorganized the ranks to Vespasian reorganized the ranks to reflect a post-year of the four reflect a post-year of the four reflect a post-year of the four Emperor's reality but rather than Emperor's reality but rather than Emperor's reality but rather than solidifying his rule by executing his solidifying his rule by executing his solidifying his rule by executing his enemies and packing the Senate with enemies and packing the Senate with enemies and packing the Senate with corrupt supporters he seems to have corrupt supporters he seems to have corrupt supporters he seems to have followed a program of leaving virtuous followed a program of leaving virtuous followed a program of leaving virtuous men in place and removing the worst of men in place and removing the worst of men in place and removing the worst of the worst whoever they had supported the worst whoever they had supported the worst whoever they had supported during the during the during the wars he even took it a step further by wars he even took it a step further by wars he even took it a step further by extending financial aid to otherwise extending financial aid to otherwise extending financial aid to otherwise worthy Senators who had fallen beneath worthy Senators who had fallen beneath worthy Senators who had fallen beneath the asset requirements for the asset requirements for the asset requirements for office having stabilized the upper office having stabilized the upper office having stabilized the upper classes he then took a hands-off classes he then took a hands-off classes he then took a hands-off approach to their debates and encourag approach to their debates and encourag approach to their debates and encourag men to say their peace honestly without men to say their peace honestly without men to say their peace honestly without fear of Imperial I fear of Imperial I fear of Imperial I reprisal bpan never introduced anything reprisal bpan never introduced anything reprisal bpan never introduced anything resembling the treason trial so loved by resembling the treason trial so loved by resembling the treason trial so loved by the hypersensitive Julio claudians the hypersensitive Julio claudians the hypersensitive Julio claudians commenting once about a particularly commenting once about a particularly commenting once about a particularly vocal helvidius priscus that he would vocal helvidius priscus that he would vocal helvidius priscus that he would not kill a dog simply for not kill a dog simply for not kill a dog simply for barking of course the irrepressible barking of course the irrepressible barking of course the irrepressible priscus had to keep pushing to see just priscus had to keep pushing to see just priscus had to keep pushing to see just how far he could go and in 75 Vespasian

how far he could go and in 75 Vespasian how far he could go and in 75 Vespasian was forced to banish him from was forced to banish him from was forced to banish him from Rome eventually the dissident stoic Rome eventually the dissident stoic Rome eventually the dissident stoic would be executed by Titus but he was a would be executed by Titus but he was a would be executed by Titus but he was a particularly troubling pain in the rear particularly troubling pain in the rear particularly troubling pain in the rear end and definitely the exception rather end and definitely the exception rather end and definitely the exception rather than the than the than the rule vasan's decade in office is usually rule vasan's decade in office is usually rule vasan's decade in office is usually understood to have been one of Peace at understood to have been one of Peace at understood to have been one of Peace at home and abroad certainly the coins he home and abroad certainly the coins he home and abroad certainly the coins he Meed drove home the idea that all was Meed drove home the idea that all was Meed drove home the idea that all was well and the empire was at peace but in well and the empire was at peace but in well and the empire was at peace but in reality in the beginning anyway reality in the beginning anyway reality in the beginning anyway Vespasian could not escape the entropy Vespasian could not escape the entropy Vespasian could not escape the entropy that always pulls at the edges of that always pulls at the edges of that always pulls at the edges of empire in Jude the Revolt Vespasian had empire in Jude the Revolt Vespasian had empire in Jude the Revolt Vespasian had been assigned to put down did not stop been assigned to put down did not stop been assigned to put down did not stop simply because he had turned his simply because he had turned his simply because he had turned his attention attention attention westward in fact with the Roman World in westward in fact with the Roman World in westward in fact with the Roman World in crisis Jewish leaders redoubled their crisis Jewish leaders redoubled their crisis Jewish leaders redoubled their efforts believing that now was the efforts believing that now was the efforts believing that now was the perfect time to drive off the distracted perfect time to drive off the distracted perfect time to drive off the distracted Legions but unfortunately for the Jews Legions but unfortunately for the Jews Legions but unfortunately for the Jews Rome was more than able to walk and chew Rome was more than able to walk and chew Rome was more than able to walk and chew gum at the same time Vespasian assigned gum at the same time Vespasian assigned gum at the same time Vespasian assigned his more than capable son Titus to take his more than capable son Titus to take his more than capable son Titus to take over operations in Judea and in 70 AD over operations in Judea and in 70 AD over operations in Judea and in 70 AD just months after his father became just months after his father became just months after his father became emperor Titus began the final Siege of emperor Titus began the final Siege of emperor Titus began the final Siege of Jerusalem surrounding the city with his Jerusalem surrounding the city with his Jerusalem surrounding the city with his four allegion Titus cut off supplies four allegion Titus cut off supplies four allegion Titus cut off supplies going into the City and then open going into the City and then open going into the City and then open negotiations for a peaceful surrender negotiations for a peaceful surrender negotiations for a peaceful surrender but the scene inside of Jerusalem was but the scene inside of Jerusalem was but the scene inside of Jerusalem was ugly the Jewish leadership was fractured ugly the Jewish leadership was fractured ugly the Jewish leadership was fractured and infighting between the moderate and and infighting between the moderate and and infighting between the moderate and extreme elements led to a toxic extreme elements led to a toxic extreme elements led to a toxic atmosphere of mutual assassination and

atmosphere of mutual assassination and atmosphere of mutual assassination and terrorist attacks at one point the food terrorist attacks at one point the food terrorist attacks at one point the food stores were torted by Hardline anti- stores were torted by Hardline anti- stores were torted by Hardline anti- Romans who believe the loss of their Romans who believe the loss of their Romans who believe the loss of their security blanket would force the security blanket would force the security blanket would force the moderates to fight to the moderates to fight to the moderates to fight to the death by May Titus was done talking and death by May Titus was done talking and death by May Titus was done talking and crashed through one of the outer crashed through one of the outer crashed through one of the outer walls intense street fighting followed walls intense street fighting followed walls intense street fighting followed with the Jews Left Alive falling behind with the Jews Left Alive falling behind with the Jews Left Alive falling behind the secondary walls near the Temple the secondary walls near the Temple the secondary walls near the Temple Mount but the Romans finally overcame Mount but the Romans finally overcame Mount but the Romans finally overcame these last Defenders and by September these last Defenders and by September these last Defenders and by September the entire city was in their hands the entire city was in their hands the entire city was in their hands history records that at this point the history records that at this point the history records that at this point the Roman soldiers enraged at the ordeal the Roman soldiers enraged at the ordeal the Roman soldiers enraged at the ordeal the Jews had just put them through plundered Jews had just put them through plundered Jews had just put them through plundered the city mercilessly and set fire to the the city mercilessly and set fire to the the city mercilessly and set fire to the rest including against titus's explicit rest including against titus's explicit rest including against titus's explicit orders the Great temple orders the Great temple orders the Great temple itself Josephus who was present with itself Josephus who was present with itself Josephus who was present with Titus at the time reports that over the Titus at the time reports that over the Titus at the time reports that over the course of The Siege over a million course of The Siege over a million course of The Siege over a million people died and another 100,000 were people died and another 100,000 were people died and another 100,000 were taken taken taken prisoner the great Jewish Revolt was prisoner the great Jewish Revolt was prisoner the great Jewish Revolt was broken however a few pockets of broken however a few pockets of broken however a few pockets of resistance still existed and after Titus resistance still existed and after Titus resistance still existed and after Titus was recalled to Rome to serve as his was recalled to Rome to serve as his was recalled to Rome to serve as his father's colleague a deputy was put in father's colleague a deputy was put in father's colleague a deputy was put in charge of mop-up Duties the most famous charge of mop-up Duties the most famous charge of mop-up Duties the most famous of these Pockets was of course the of these Pockets was of course the of these Pockets was of course the Fortress at Masada garrisoned by 960 Fortress at Masada garrisoned by 960 Fortress at Masada garrisoned by 960 Sakari Sakari Sakari Fighters The Fortress situated at top a Fighters The Fortress situated at top a Fighters The Fortress situated at top a high Mesa was nearly impregnable and it high Mesa was nearly impregnable and it high Mesa was nearly impregnable and it took a full Year's worth of rampart took a full Year's worth of rampart took a full Year's worth of rampart building for the Romans to even reach building for the Romans to even reach building for the Romans to even reach the walls on April 16th 73 ad though the

the walls on April 16th 73 ad though the the walls on April 16th 73 ad though the Romans finally broke down the gate with Romans finally broke down the gate with Romans finally broke down the gate with a battering ram and to their surprise a battering ram and to their surprise a battering ram and to their surprise found the entire population of Mada dead found the entire population of Mada dead found the entire population of Mada dead from an apparent mass murder suicide from an apparent mass murder suicide from an apparent mass murder suicide paact to avoid capture and paact to avoid capture and paact to avoid capture and slavery the siege of Mada quickly slavery the siege of Mada quickly slavery the siege of Mada quickly entered into the Jewish Collective entered into the Jewish Collective entered into the Jewish Collective Consciousness and is held a prominent Consciousness and is held a prominent Consciousness and is held a prominent place there ever place there ever place there ever since today Beyond its popularity as a since today Beyond its popularity as a since today Beyond its popularity as a tourist destination the Israeli Defense tourist destination the Israeli Defense tourist destination the Israeli Defense Force holds its basic training Force holds its basic training Force holds its basic training graduation at the ruins of the Fortress graduation at the ruins of the Fortress graduation at the ruins of the Fortress where their newly inducted soldiers where their newly inducted soldiers where their newly inducted soldiers swear to never allow Mada to fall swear to never allow Mada to fall swear to never allow Mada to fall again on the other side of the Empire again on the other side of the Empire again on the other side of the Empire Vespasian inherited a shortlived but Vespasian inherited a shortlived but Vespasian inherited a shortlived but arguably more serious Revolt in arguably more serious Revolt in arguably more serious Revolt in Gaul when vitellius decided to use the Gaul when vitellius decided to use the Gaul when vitellius decided to use the soldiers under his command to invade soldiers under his command to invade soldiers under his command to invade Italy he left the Rin River severely Italy he left the Rin River severely Italy he left the Rin River severely undermanned and local tribal leaders undermanned and local tribal leaders undermanned and local tribal leaders were not about to miss their opportunity were not about to miss their opportunity were not about to miss their opportunity to break away from Roman to break away from Roman to break away from Roman rule specifically a hereditary Prince of rule specifically a hereditary Prince of rule specifically a hereditary Prince of the batavians named Julius cavillous who the batavians named Julius cavillous who the batavians named Julius cavillous who had been made a citizen of Rome had been made a citizen of Rome had been made a citizen of Rome previously as a reward for 25 years previously as a reward for 25 years previously as a reward for 25 years service in the legion decided that he service in the legion decided that he service in the legion decided that he had had enough of the had had enough of the had had enough of the Romans the batavians had long enjoyed Romans the batavians had long enjoyed Romans the batavians had long enjoyed exemption from taxation in exchange for exemption from taxation in exchange for exemption from taxation in exchange for providing a disproportionate share of providing a disproportionate share of providing a disproportionate share of the auxiliary troops stationed along the the auxiliary troops stationed along the the auxiliary troops stationed along the rine but as vitellius ascended to the rine but as vitellius ascended to the rine but as vitellius ascended to the throne his agents pressed the batavians throne his agents pressed the batavians throne his agents pressed the batavians to contribute even more troops to help to contribute even more troops to help to contribute even more troops to help reinforce the reinforce the reinforce the Ry this was the last straw for the Ry this was the last straw for the Ry this was the last straw for the batavians who were already ticked off at

batavians who were already ticked off at batavians who were already ticked off at the empire for a number of other recent the empire for a number of other recent the empire for a number of other recent slights and in the guise of helping vas slights and in the guise of helping vas slights and in the guise of helping vas pacin win the throne Julius cavillous pacin win the throne Julius cavillous pacin win the throne Julius cavillous LED his people in LED his people in LED his people in Revolt he helped pin down the two Revolt he helped pin down the two Revolt he helped pin down the two Legions left on the lower rine and thus Legions left on the lower rine and thus Legions left on the lower rine and thus did indeed help vespasian's war effort did indeed help vespasian's war effort did indeed help vespasian's war effort but when the flavians emerged Victorious but when the flavians emerged Victorious but when the flavians emerged Victorious and cavis refused to lift his Siege it and cavis refused to lift his Siege it and cavis refused to lift his Siege it became apparent that the batavians were became apparent that the batavians were became apparent that the batavians were fighting for themselves fighting for themselves fighting for themselves alone elsewhere in Gul a belgic leader alone elsewhere in Gul a belgic leader alone elsewhere in Gul a belgic leader who claimed to be the great grandson of who claimed to be the great grandson of who claimed to be the great grandson of Julius Caesar LED his own revolt and Julius Caesar LED his own revolt and Julius Caesar LED his own revolt and managed to convince the two Legions managed to convince the two Legions managed to convince the two Legions garrisoning the area to come over to his garrisoning the area to come over to his garrisoning the area to come over to his side with the whole region up in arms side with the whole region up in arms side with the whole region up in arms and expecting little relief the and expecting little relief the and expecting little relief the commanders of the two Legions besieged commanders of the two Legions besieged commanders of the two Legions besieged by cavilla surrendered in early 70 AD by cavilla surrendered in early 70 AD by cavilla surrendered in early 70 AD but contrary to the promise of safe but contrary to the promise of safe but contrary to the promise of safe passage they had received the two passage they had received the two passage they had received the two disarmed Legions were disarmed Legions were disarmed Legions were massacred obviously Rome could not stand massacred obviously Rome could not stand massacred obviously Rome could not stand for such an atrocity and the shocked for such an atrocity and the shocked for such an atrocity and the shocked Vespasian who had already promised the Vespasian who had already promised the Vespasian who had already promised the batavians independence as a reward for batavians independence as a reward for batavians independence as a reward for their help against vellus ordered a their help against vellus ordered a their help against vellus ordered a massive Army North to crush the massive Army North to crush the massive Army North to crush the Rebellion cavillous planned to keep Rebellion cavillous planned to keep Rebellion cavillous planned to keep fighting but when word came that fighting but when word came that fighting but when word came that Jerusalem had fallen he knew that the Jerusalem had fallen he knew that the Jerusalem had fallen he knew that the handwriting was on the wall The Batavian handwriting was on the wall The Batavian handwriting was on the wall The Batavian leader had been counting on the leader had been counting on the leader had been counting on the continued Roman preoccupation in the continued Roman preoccupation in the continued Roman preoccupation in the East to help him avoid the full brunt of East to help him avoid the full brunt of East to help him avoid the full brunt of the Empire's attention but now that he the Empire's attention but now that he the Empire's attention but now that he knew that he and his countrymen were the knew that he and his countrymen were the knew that he and his countrymen were the only things blipping on vespasian's only things blipping on vespasian's only things blipping on vespasian's radar it was time to give

radar it was time to give radar it was time to give up the batavians surrendered and agreed up the batavians surrendered and agreed up the batavians surrendered and agreed to return to the terms of their original to return to the terms of their original to return to the terms of their original treaty along with a whole host of new treaty along with a whole host of new treaty along with a whole host of new restrictions and obligations beyond the unrest of his obligations beyond the unrest of his first years in office the empire was first years in office the empire was first years in office the empire was relatively quiet throughout vespasian's relatively quiet throughout vespasian's relatively quiet throughout vespasian's Reign the only major action thereafter Reign the only major action thereafter Reign the only major action thereafter took place in Britain which will cover took place in Britain which will cover took place in Britain which will cover more extensively next week as it Spann more extensively next week as it Spann more extensively next week as it Spann the Reigns of Vespasian Titus and the Reigns of Vespasian Titus and the Reigns of Vespasian Titus and demission demission demission we are blessed to have a full accounting we are blessed to have a full accounting we are blessed to have a full accounting of the campaigns in Britannia as tasus of the campaigns in Britannia as tasus of the campaigns in Britannia as tasus married the daughter of the principal married the daughter of the principal married the daughter of the principal Roman Commander Julius Agricola and Roman Commander Julius Agricola and Roman Commander Julius Agricola and chose his father-in-law as the subject chose his father-in-law as the subject chose his father-in-law as the subject of his first major historical work known of his first major historical work known of his first major historical work known as the as the as the Agricola bpan as I said was the first Agricola bpan as I said was the first Agricola bpan as I said was the first emperor in quite some time to die of emperor in quite some time to die of emperor in quite some time to die of natural causes which is a testament to natural causes which is a testament to natural causes which is a testament to the esteem with which he was the esteem with which he was the esteem with which he was held that is not to say that various held that is not to say that various held that is not to say that various attacks weren't made on his life just attacks weren't made on his life just attacks weren't made on his life just that none were able to get close enough that none were able to get close enough that none were able to get close enough to be to be to be dangerous the pretorians remained loyal dangerous the pretorians remained loyal dangerous the pretorians remained loyal and top commanders refused to get caught and top commanders refused to get caught and top commanders refused to get caught up with plots to overthrow a popular up with plots to overthrow a popular up with plots to overthrow a popular ruler I will mention though as an ruler I will mention though as an ruler I will mention though as an epilogue to the year of the four epilogue to the year of the four epilogue to the year of the four Emperors that one of the men who did Emperors that one of the men who did Emperors that one of the men who did attempt to assassinate vaspian was none attempt to assassinate vaspian was none attempt to assassinate vaspian was none other than kisina who was apparently other than kisina who was apparently other than kisina who was apparently hardwired to betray whatever Master he hardwired to betray whatever Master he hardwired to betray whatever Master he served despite earning vespasian's favor served despite earning vespasian's favor served despite earning vespasian's favor during the war by 79 Kine was up to his during the war by 79 Kine was up to his during the war by 79 Kine was up to his old tricks again for unknown reasons he

old tricks again for unknown reasons he old tricks again for unknown reasons he conspired to kill the emperor but the conspired to kill the emperor but the conspired to kill the emperor but the plot was discovered and the habitual plot was discovered and the habitual plot was discovered and the habitual turn coat was finally executed by Titus vpan survived all of this easily Titus vpan survived all of this easily but by June of 79 his health began to but by June of 79 his health began to but by June of 79 his health began to slip at 69 years old he was not a young slip at 69 years old he was not a young slip at 69 years old he was not a young man anymore and knew that his time was man anymore and knew that his time was man anymore and knew that his time was at at at hand he had brought Titus in to share hand he had brought Titus in to share hand he had brought Titus in to share the burden of Empire years before and the burden of Empire years before and the burden of Empire years before and was confident he was handing power over was confident he was handing power over was confident he was handing power over to a capable man who could rule for many to a capable man who could rule for many to a capable man who could rule for many years at least long enough for him to years at least long enough for him to years at least long enough for him to sire his own son and keep power away sire his own son and keep power away sire his own son and keep power away from vespasian's other son demission a from vespasian's other son demission a from vespasian's other son demission a young man of dubious character on June young man of dubious character on June young man of dubious character on June 2379 ad Vespasian lay on his deathbed 2379 ad Vespasian lay on his deathbed 2379 ad Vespasian lay on his deathbed but rather than simply fading away he but rather than simply fading away he but rather than simply fading away he demanded that he be helped out of bed demanded that he be helped out of bed demanded that he be helped out of bed declaring that an emperor should at declaring that an emperor should at declaring that an emperor should at least die on his least die on his least die on his feet according to the legend his last feet according to the legend his last feet according to the legend his last words spoken while enduring the painful words spoken while enduring the painful words spoken while enduring the painful throws of death were dear me I must be throws of death were dear me I must be throws of death were dear me I must be becoming a becoming a becoming a god Vespasian died at the age of 69 god Vespasian died at the age of 69 god Vespasian died at the age of 69 after ruling Rome for 9 and a half after ruling Rome for 9 and a half after ruling Rome for 9 and a half years vespasian's Reign is generally years vespasian's Reign is generally years vespasian's Reign is generally seen as a successful one and I see no seen as a successful one and I see no seen as a successful one and I see no reason to contradict the reason to contradict the reason to contradict the consensus his naturally mild temperament consensus his naturally mild temperament consensus his naturally mild temperament pragmatic policies and skillful use of pragmatic policies and skillful use of pragmatic policies and skillful use of propaganda allowed normaly to return to propaganda allowed normaly to return to propaganda allowed normaly to return to an Empire shaken by Civil War an Empire shaken by Civil War an Empire shaken by Civil War in almost every way he left Rome better in almost every way he left Rome better in almost every way he left Rome better than he had found it and as tacius said

than he had found it and as tacius said than he had found it and as tacius said he was probably the only man who he was probably the only man who he was probably the only man who improved his own character upon taking improved his own character upon taking improved his own character upon taking office this rustic and obscure General office this rustic and obscure General office this rustic and obscure General had gone far higher than he had any had gone far higher than he had any had gone far higher than he had any right to expect and he had clearly risen right to expect and he had clearly risen right to expect and he had clearly risen to the to the to the occasion not only that but Titus had occasion not only that but Titus had occasion not only that but Titus had risen to the occasion along with his risen to the occasion along with his risen to the occasion along with his father and despite some initial father and despite some initial father and despite some initial misgivings about their new emperor the misgivings about their new emperor the misgivings about their new emperor the people of Rome quickly embraced Titus people of Rome quickly embraced Titus people of Rome quickly embraced Titus and began to hail the new flavian and began to hail the new flavian and began to hail the new flavian Dynasty as the answer to all their Dynasty as the answer to all their Dynasty as the answer to all their problems unfortunately Titus would last problems unfortunately Titus would last problems unfortunately Titus would last only a scant two years in office before only a scant two years in office before only a scant two years in office before succumbing to disease and soon enough succumbing to disease and soon enough succumbing to disease and soon enough the Romans would be introduced to the the Romans would be introduced to the the Romans would be introduced to the dark half of the flavian coin dark half of the flavian coin [Music] [Music] hello and welcome to the history of hello and welcome to the history of hello and welcome to the history of Rome episode 74 friends I have wasted a Rome episode 74 friends I have wasted a Rome episode 74 friends I have wasted a day Titus flavius vpus the eldest son of day Titus flavius vpus the eldest son of day Titus flavius vpus the eldest son of Vespasian ascended to the throne in June Vespasian ascended to the throne in June Vespasian ascended to the throne in June 79 ad following the sad but not entirely

79 ad following the sad but not entirely 79 ad following the sad but not entirely Unexpected death of his father the Roman Unexpected death of his father the Roman Unexpected death of his father the Roman world had settled down considerably world had settled down considerably world had settled down considerably under vespasian's moderate influence and under vespasian's moderate influence and under vespasian's moderate influence and though there may have been a few though there may have been a few though there may have been a few scattered anxieties concerning the scattered anxieties concerning the scattered anxieties concerning the transfer of power after all it had been transfer of power after all it had been transfer of power after all it had been 25 years since power had last been 25 years since power had last been 25 years since power had last been transferred peacefully no one arose to transferred peacefully no one arose to transferred peacefully no one arose to challenge Titus who was in every way the challenge Titus who was in every way the challenge Titus who was in every way the legal and logical heir to the throne legal and logical heir to the throne legal and logical heir to the throne in fact most people were not worried at in fact most people were not worried at in fact most people were not worried at all about whether the transition from all about whether the transition from all about whether the transition from best pacan to Titus would be peaceful best pacan to Titus would be peaceful best pacan to Titus would be peaceful but rather whether Titus would follow in but rather whether Titus would follow in but rather whether Titus would follow in his father's mild footsteps or whether his father's mild footsteps or whether his father's mild footsteps or whether he would become a tyrant drunk with he would become a tyrant drunk with he would become a tyrant drunk with power because though he is remembered power because though he is remembered power because though he is remembered today for continuing the pragmatic today for continuing the pragmatic today for continuing the pragmatic moderation of his father and possibly moderation of his father and possibly moderation of his father and possibly even besting him in the department of even besting him in the department of even besting him in the department of generosity when the almost 40-year-old generosity when the almost 40-year-old generosity when the almost 40-year-old Titus was hailed as Augustus there were Titus was hailed as Augustus there were Titus was hailed as Augustus there were very real fears that despite his age he very real fears that despite his age he very real fears that despite his age he would would prove himself to be another would would prove himself to be another would would prove himself to be another Nero but before we get too deep into the Nero but before we get too deep into the Nero but before we get too deep into the biography of Titus I want to double back biography of Titus I want to double back biography of Titus I want to double back and hit on something I left hanging last and hit on something I left hanging last and hit on something I left hanging last week when I was describing the relative week when I was describing the relative week when I was describing the relative piece of vespasian's Reign though the piece of vespasian's Reign though the piece of vespasian's Reign though the revolts in Judea and Gaul were put down revolts in Judea and Gaul were put down revolts in Judea and Gaul were put down soon after Vespasian took office the one soon after Vespasian took office the one soon after Vespasian took office the one theater of war that remained active theater of war that remained active theater of war that remained active throughout most of his Reign and into throughout most of his Reign and into throughout most of his Reign and into those of his sons was up in those of his sons was up in those of his sons was up in Britannia we know this as I said last Britannia we know this as I said last Britannia we know this as I said last week because the commander who led most week because the commander who led most week because the commander who led most of the campaigns in the North had the of the campaigns in the North had the of the campaigns in the North had the good sense to marry his daughter to a good sense to marry his daughter to a good sense to marry his daughter to a worldclass

worldclass worldclass historian as a result we probably know historian as a result we probably know historian as a result we probably know more about what Nas Julius Agricola was more about what Nas Julius Agricola was more about what Nas Julius Agricola was up to during the reign of espan than we up to during the reign of espan than we up to during the reign of espan than we know about what the emperor himself was know about what the emperor himself was know about what the emperor himself was up up up to Agricola was born on the southern to Agricola was born on the southern to Agricola was born on the southern coast of Gaul in 40 ad into a family of coast of Gaul in 40 ad into a family of coast of Gaul in 40 ad into a family of senatorial rank on both sides he did not senatorial rank on both sides he did not senatorial rank on both sides he did not get to know his father very well however get to know his father very well however get to know his father very well however as the Elder agricult was executed by as the Elder agricult was executed by as the Elder agricult was executed by Caligula for refusing to prosecute Caligula for refusing to prosecute Caligula for refusing to prosecute someone who had raised the Mad Emperor's someone who had raised the Mad Emperor's someone who had raised the Mad Emperor's eye the younger Agricola escaped killa's eye the younger Agricola escaped killa's eye the younger Agricola escaped killa's wrath and when he turned 18 he began his wrath and when he turned 18 he began his wrath and when he turned 18 he began his public career by getting shipped off in public career by getting shipped off in public career by getting shipped off in 58 ad to the island that would define 58 ad to the island that would define 58 ad to the island that would define his his his life Agricola arrived in Britannia just life Agricola arrived in Britannia just life Agricola arrived in Britannia just in time to serve as a military Tribune in time to serve as a military Tribune in time to serve as a military Tribune on the general staff during budda's on the general staff during budda's on the general staff during budda's Revolt when the uprising was put down Revolt when the uprising was put down Revolt when the uprising was put down Agricola was transferred to the province Agricola was transferred to the province Agricola was transferred to the province of Asia and it was while in the East of Asia and it was while in the East of Asia and it was while in the East that his wife gave birth to Julia that his wife gave birth to Julia that his wife gave birth to Julia Agricola future wife of our old friend Agricola future wife of our old friend Agricola future wife of our old friend tacitus back in Rome after his term tacitus back in Rome after his term tacitus back in Rome after his term expired in ' 66 he managed to escape the expired in ' 66 he managed to escape the expired in ' 66 he managed to escape the year of the four Emperors with his head year of the four Emperors with his head year of the four Emperors with his head intact but was crushed to learn that intact but was crushed to learn that intact but was crushed to learn that oo's marauding Naval Force had killed oo's marauding Naval Force had killed oo's marauding Naval Force had killed his mother while they sacked the G his mother while they sacked the G his mother while they sacked the G coast probably blaming both oo and coast probably blaming both oo and coast probably blaming both oo and valius alike for causing the war that valius alike for causing the war that valius alike for causing the war that had killed his mother Agricola eagerly had killed his mother Agricola eagerly had killed his mother Agricola eagerly joined the flavians the first chance he joined the flavians the first chance he joined the flavians the first chance he got Vespasian recognized agricola's got Vespasian recognized agricola's got Vespasian recognized agricola's promise and after taking office assigned promise and after taking office assigned promise and after taking office assigned him to lead a legion in britania a

him to lead a legion in britania a him to lead a legion in britania a province the young man was already well province the young man was already well province the young man was already well acquainted with the Imperial acquainted with the Imperial acquainted with the Imperial Administration on the island had been Administration on the island had been Administration on the island had been plunged into a state of disarray by the plunged into a state of disarray by the plunged into a state of disarray by the recent Civil Wars with the various recent Civil Wars with the various recent Civil Wars with the various legionary commanders being pulled legionary commanders being pulled legionary commanders being pulled different directions while all the while different directions while all the while different directions while all the while remaining too far away to do anything remaining too far away to do anything remaining too far away to do anything about or keep up with the rapid fire about or keep up with the rapid fire about or keep up with the rapid fire changeover power down in r changeover power down in r changeover power down in r a dissident faction of brigantes the a dissident faction of brigantes the a dissident faction of brigantes the largest pro- Roman tribe on the island largest pro- Roman tribe on the island largest pro- Roman tribe on the island decided to take advantage of the decided to take advantage of the decided to take advantage of the situation and overthrew their situation and overthrew their situation and overthrew their collaborating Queen who just to bring collaborating Queen who just to bring collaborating Queen who just to bring things back around was the same Queen things back around was the same Queen things back around was the same Queen who had Once Upon a Time handed catticus who had Once Upon a Time handed catticus who had Once Upon a Time handed catticus to the Romans when the resistance leader to the Romans when the resistance leader to the Romans when the resistance leader came looking for sanctuary in came looking for sanctuary in came looking for sanctuary in 51 suddenly the Romans greatest Ally 51 suddenly the Romans greatest Ally 51 suddenly the Romans greatest Ally became their greatest threat and when he became their greatest threat and when he became their greatest threat and when he took over vaspian appointed a vigorous took over vaspian appointed a vigorous took over vaspian appointed a vigorous Governor to get the situation back in Governor to get the situation back in Governor to get the situation back in hand and the governor in turn appointed hand and the governor in turn appointed hand and the governor in turn appointed Agricola to spearhead the rep Agricola to spearhead the rep Agricola to spearhead the rep pacification from 71 to 75 Agricola pacification from 71 to 75 Agricola pacification from 71 to 75 Agricola crisscross brigante territory attempting crisscross brigante territory attempting crisscross brigante territory attempting to bring it back to heel he was to bring it back to heel he was to bring it back to heel he was successful but not definitively and the successful but not definitively and the successful but not definitively and the region would continue to plague the region would continue to plague the region would continue to plague the empire for years to come eventually the empire for years to come eventually the empire for years to come eventually the emperor hadrien would build the wall emperor hadrien would build the wall emperor hadrien would build the wall that bears his name in part to separate that bears his name in part to separate that bears his name in part to separate the brigantes from supply line and the brigantes from supply line and the brigantes from supply line and allies in allies in allies in Scotland after receiving a promotion to Scotland after receiving a promotion to Scotland after receiving a promotion to a governorship in Gaul in' 75 and then a governorship in Gaul in' 75 and then a governorship in Gaul in' 75 and then serving in Rome as a console Agricola

serving in Rome as a console Agricola serving in Rome as a console Agricola returned to Britannia for a third time returned to Britannia for a third time returned to Britannia for a third time in 78 this time as the provincial in 78 this time as the provincial in 78 this time as the provincial Governor a post he would hold for an Governor a post he would hold for an Governor a post he would hold for an unusually long 7 years the new unusually long 7 years the new unusually long 7 years the new Governor's first task was to retaliate Governor's first task was to retaliate Governor's first task was to retaliate against one of the eternally difficult against one of the eternally difficult against one of the eternally difficult Welsh tribes who had annihilated a Roman Welsh tribes who had annihilated a Roman Welsh tribes who had annihilated a Roman Cavalry Garrison and were now openly Cavalry Garrison and were now openly Cavalry Garrison and were now openly flouting Roman flouting Roman flouting Roman Ru agria swept in and easily crushed the Ru agria swept in and easily crushed the Ru agria swept in and easily crushed the offending tribe and restored firm Roman offending tribe and restored firm Roman offending tribe and restored firm Roman control of the region in the control of the region in the control of the region in the process the whole Province had been process the whole Province had been process the whole Province had been suffering from a string of disinterested suffering from a string of disinterested suffering from a string of disinterested Roman administrators who were likely no Roman administrators who were likely no Roman administrators who were likely no more happy about being stuck in Britain more happy about being stuck in Britain more happy about being stuck in Britain than the locals were about being stuck than the locals were about being stuck than the locals were about being stuck with them but Agricola was determined to with them but Agricola was determined to with them but Agricola was determined to remind everyone Romans and British alike remind everyone Romans and British alike remind everyone Romans and British alike that the empire was here to that the empire was here to that the empire was here to stay he quickly gained a reputation as a stay he quickly gained a reputation as a stay he quickly gained a reputation as a strict admin administrator of both strict admin administrator of both strict admin administrator of both unruly locals and unruly legionaries but unruly locals and unruly legionaries but unruly locals and unruly legionaries but no one could deny that he was always no one could deny that he was always no one could deny that he was always honest in his dealings with both his honest in his dealings with both his honest in his dealings with both his soldiers and the tribes they watched soldiers and the tribes they watched soldiers and the tribes they watched over in an effort to further entrench over in an effort to further entrench over in an effort to further entrench Roman civilization on the island Roman civilization on the island Roman civilization on the island Agricola instituted programs to educate Agricola instituted programs to educate Agricola instituted programs to educate the sons of the local nobility in proper the sons of the local nobility in proper the sons of the local nobility in proper classical fashion exposing them to ideas classical fashion exposing them to ideas classical fashion exposing them to ideas far beyond what their parents could far beyond what their parents could far beyond what their parents could possibly understand and hopefully possibly understand and hopefully possibly understand and hopefully turning the next generation of leaders turning the next generation of leaders turning the next generation of leaders into true Roman citizens rather than into true Roman citizens rather than into true Roman citizens rather than leaving them as uncouth leaving them as uncouth leaving them as uncouth provincials he also tried to replace the provincials he also tried to replace the provincials he also tried to replace the messily organic Town centers with the messily organic Town centers with the messily organic Town centers with the straight lined rationality of Roman City

straight lined rationality of Roman City straight lined rationality of Roman City Planning his theory was that if the Planning his theory was that if the Planning his theory was that if the British locals thought like Romans and British locals thought like Romans and British locals thought like Romans and lived like Romans pretty soon they would lived like Romans pretty soon they would lived like Romans pretty soon they would be Romans that was the idea be Romans that was the idea be Romans that was the idea anyway agricola's vision of a fully anyway agricola's vision of a fully anyway agricola's vision of a fully romanized Britain never did come to romanized Britain never did come to romanized Britain never did come to fruition but it was not for a lack of fruition but it was not for a lack of fruition but it was not for a lack of trying in a few short years a trying in a few short years a trying in a few short years a would find himself leading an army North would find himself leading an army North would find himself leading an army North into Scotland in an attempt to bring the into Scotland in an attempt to bring the into Scotland in an attempt to bring the whole island under Imperial whole island under Imperial whole island under Imperial control though he would defeat a control though he would defeat a control though he would defeat a combined force of some 30,000 combined force of some 30,000 combined force of some 30,000 caledonians in 84 ad and possibly caledonians in 84 ad and possibly caledonians in 84 ad and possibly marched all the way to the North Coast marched all the way to the North Coast marched all the way to the North Coast the Romans never would gain a foothold the Romans never would gain a foothold the Romans never would gain a foothold in the highlands and hadrien would in the highlands and hadrien would in the highlands and hadrien would eventually give up the ghost for good eventually give up the ghost for good eventually give up the ghost for good building his wall to separate building his wall to separate building his wall to separate civilization from the trackless Wilds of civilization from the trackless Wilds of civilization from the trackless Wilds of the the the north but now I'm getting ahead of north but now I'm getting ahead of north but now I'm getting ahead of myself rather than trying to play myself rather than trying to play myself rather than trying to play ketchup while Agricola was still in ketchup while Agricola was still in ketchup while Agricola was still in Britain Vespasian died and his son Titus Britain Vespasian died and his son Titus Britain Vespasian died and his son Titus who had likely served alongside Agricola who had likely served alongside Agricola who had likely served alongside Agricola during budda's Revolt ascended to the during budda's Revolt ascended to the during budda's Revolt ascended to the throne both men were about the same age throne both men were about the same age throne both men were about the same age just shy of their 40th birthdays and if just shy of their 40th birthdays and if just shy of their 40th birthdays and if Titus lived as long as his 70-year-old Titus lived as long as his 70-year-old Titus lived as long as his 70-year-old father that meant that the Empire had father that meant that the Empire had father that meant that the Empire had just bought itself 30 years of just bought itself 30 years of just bought itself 30 years of stability but the merciless Fates would stability but the merciless Fates would stability but the merciless Fates would conspire to Rob Rome of their an ously conspire to Rob Rome of their an ously conspire to Rob Rome of their an ously popular new emperor in Just 2 years and popular new emperor in Just 2 years and popular new emperor in Just 2 years and leave them instead with titus's far less leave them instead with titus's far less leave them instead with titus's far less popular brother popular brother popular brother demission demission would Reign for 15 demission demission would Reign for 15 demission demission would Reign for 15 possibly misunderstood years before

possibly misunderstood years before possibly misunderstood years before being deposed in '96 ad permanently being deposed in '96 ad permanently being deposed in '96 ad permanently ending the flavian dynasty which most ending the flavian dynasty which most ending the flavian dynasty which most figured would have barely gotten going figured would have barely gotten going figured would have barely gotten going by that by that by that point but rather than opening another point but rather than opening another point but rather than opening another round of destructive chaos as the fall round of destructive chaos as the fall round of destructive chaos as the fall of the Julio claudians had done the fall of the Julio claudians had done the fall of the Julio claudians had done the fall of the flavians ushered in the Golden of the flavians ushered in the Golden of the flavians ushered in the Golden Age of Imperial Age of Imperial Age of Imperial Rome the so-called five good Emperors Rome the so-called five good Emperors Rome the so-called five good Emperors who ruled from 96 ad until Marcus who ruled from 96 ad until Marcus who ruled from 96 ad until Marcus Aurelius foolishly handed power to his Aurelius foolishly handed power to his Aurelius foolishly handed power to his son Walkin Phoenix in 180 wisely son Walkin Phoenix in 180 wisely son Walkin Phoenix in 180 wisely governed Rome to the height of its power governed Rome to the height of its power governed Rome to the height of its power Prestige and Prestige and Prestige and Glory but I'm getting ahead of myself Glory but I'm getting ahead of myself Glory but I'm getting ahead of myself again so without further Ado on to The again so without further Ado on to The again so without further Ado on to The Short Happy reign of Titus flavius best panis Titus was born in 39 ad and was panis Titus was born in 39 ad and was raised Ed in Rome in the shadow of the raised Ed in Rome in the shadow of the raised Ed in Rome in the shadow of the Imperial Court he was a friend and Imperial Court he was a friend and Imperial Court he was a friend and schoolmate of claudius's brother schoolmate of claudius's brother schoolmate of claudius's brother britannicus and sanus go so far as to britannicus and sanus go so far as to britannicus and sanus go so far as to report that Titus was by his friend's report that Titus was by his friend's report that Titus was by his friend's side when britannicus drank Nero's side when britannicus drank Nero's side when britannicus drank Nero's poison in 55 poison in 55 poison in 55 ad young Titus showed enormous promise ad young Titus showed enormous promise ad young Titus showed enormous promise and excelled at both oratory and and excelled at both oratory and and excelled at both oratory and sports he began his public career as sports he began his public career as sports he began his public career as soon as he could and in 57 ad was soon as he could and in 57 ad was soon as he could and in 57 ad was elected military Tribune the first step elected military Tribune the first step elected military Tribune the first step up that curses honor him and was up that curses honor him and was up that curses honor him and was assigned to a post in assigned to a post in assigned to a post in Germania 2 years later he was Germania 2 years later he was Germania 2 years later he was transferred to his father's old stomping transferred to his father's old stomping transferred to his father's old stomping ground in Britannia to Aid in the ground in Britannia to Aid in the ground in Britannia to Aid in the supression of budda's Revolt where as I supression of budda's Revolt where as I supression of budda's Revolt where as I said he likely served alongside Agri

said he likely served alongside Agri said he likely served alongside Agri Cola though whether the two actually Cola though whether the two actually Cola though whether the two actually knew each other at this point is knew each other at this point is knew each other at this point is debatable in ' 63 he returned to Rome debatable in ' 63 he returned to Rome debatable in ' 63 he returned to Rome and married for the first time but his and married for the first time but his and married for the first time but his wife died in ' 65 after burying him a wife died in ' 65 after burying him a wife died in ' 65 after burying him a daughter he remarried in ' 65 but the daughter he remarried in ' 65 but the daughter he remarried in ' 65 but the family of his second wife was deeply family of his second wife was deeply family of his second wife was deeply involved in the ponan conspiracy against involved in the ponan conspiracy against involved in the ponan conspiracy against Nero and Titus prudently sued for Nero and Titus prudently sued for Nero and Titus prudently sued for divorce curiously for a man of his time divorce curiously for a man of his time divorce curiously for a man of his time Titus never again remarried though he Titus never again remarried though he Titus never again remarried though he was not without romantic company as we was not without romantic company as we was not without romantic company as we will soon will soon will soon see when Vespasian was assigned by Nero see when Vespasian was assigned by Nero see when Vespasian was assigned by Nero to suppress the Jewish Revolt in late 66 to suppress the Jewish Revolt in late 66 to suppress the Jewish Revolt in late 66 ad he took his 27-year-old son with him ad he took his 27-year-old son with him ad he took his 27-year-old son with him to serve on to serve on to serve on staff the young man distinguished staff the young man distinguished staff the young man distinguished himself not only as a strategist and himself not only as a strategist and himself not only as a strategist and tactician but but also as a tactician but but also as a tactician but but also as a diplomat as we now know the governor of diplomat as we now know the governor of diplomat as we now know the governor of Syria mionis was a key early supporter Syria mionis was a key early supporter Syria mionis was a key early supporter of vespasian's bid for the throne but of vespasian's bid for the throne but of vespasian's bid for the throne but initially the two men had gotten off on initially the two men had gotten off on initially the two men had gotten off on the wrong the wrong the wrong foot Vespasian took his orders to mean foot Vespasian took his orders to mean foot Vespasian took his orders to mean that he had overall command of the East that he had overall command of the East that he had overall command of the East and could do whatever came into his head and could do whatever came into his head and could do whatever came into his head as long as it meant winning the war in as long as it meant winning the war in as long as it meant winning the war in Judea even if it meant encroaching into Judea even if it meant encroaching into Judea even if it meant encroaching into what muis felt was his ultimate what muis felt was his ultimate what muis felt was his ultimate Authority in Syria Authority in Syria Authority in Syria Vespasian sent Titus to Antioch to Vespasian sent Titus to Antioch to Vespasian sent Titus to Antioch to soothe mcan's ruffled feathers and the soothe mcan's ruffled feathers and the soothe mcan's ruffled feathers and the young Commander was so successful that young Commander was so successful that young Commander was so successful that muis not only dropped his complaints but muis not only dropped his complaints but muis not only dropped his complaints but became a staunch flavian became a staunch flavian became a staunch flavian supporter this was no doubt at the

supporter this was no doubt at the supporter this was no doubt at the Forefront of espen's mind when he sent Forefront of espen's mind when he sent Forefront of espen's mind when he sent Titus to meet with galba after the Titus to meet with galba after the Titus to meet with galba after the latter's nonresponse to vpan Friendly latter's nonresponse to vpan Friendly latter's nonresponse to vpan Friendly overtures in 68 ad who knows Titus might overtures in 68 ad who knows Titus might overtures in 68 ad who knows Titus might make such an impression on the new make such an impression on the new make such an impression on the new emperor that galba will be inclined to emperor that galba will be inclined to emperor that galba will be inclined to adopt him as heir adopt him as heir adopt him as heir but as we noted Titus had only made it but as we noted Titus had only made it but as we noted Titus had only made it as far as Greece before Galo was as far as Greece before Galo was as far as Greece before Galo was assassinated and he quickly returned to assassinated and he quickly returned to assassinated and he quickly returned to the safety of the the safety of the the safety of the East when Vespasian decided to follow East when Vespasian decided to follow East when Vespasian decided to follow the advice of his new BFF muis and the advice of his new BFF muis and the advice of his new BFF muis and accept the title of emperor in mid 69 he accept the title of emperor in mid 69 he accept the title of emperor in mid 69 he handed responsibility for the Jewish handed responsibility for the Jewish handed responsibility for the Jewish Revolt to Titus who as we saw last week Revolt to Titus who as we saw last week Revolt to Titus who as we saw last week brought it to a swift brought it to a swift brought it to a swift conclusion with the main action over conclusion with the main action over conclusion with the main action over Titus followed his father back to Rome Titus followed his father back to Rome Titus followed his father back to Rome and when he arrived was awarded a full and when he arrived was awarded a full and when he arrived was awarded a full Triumph for his smashing victory in Triumph for his smashing victory in Triumph for his smashing victory in Jerusalem theasian decided to keep Titus Jerusalem theasian decided to keep Titus Jerusalem theasian decided to keep Titus close by his side in Rome and involve close by his side in Rome and involve close by his side in Rome and involve him in every aspect of Imperial him in every aspect of Imperial him in every aspect of Imperial Administration it was a foregone Administration it was a foregone Administration it was a foregone conclusion that Titus would be Emperor conclusion that Titus would be Emperor conclusion that Titus would be Emperor himself one day and needed the himself one day and needed the himself one day and needed the experience but vespaon also needed experience but vespaon also needed experience but vespaon also needed someone he could trust implicitly right someone he could trust implicitly right someone he could trust implicitly right there by his there by his there by his side though history records vespasian's side though history records vespasian's side though history records vespasian's reign as one relatively free from reign as one relatively free from reign as one relatively free from internal descent there was no guarantee internal descent there was no guarantee internal descent there was no guarantee at the beginning that this was going to at the beginning that this was going to at the beginning that this was going to be the be the be the case Titus was not only given the title case Titus was not only given the title case Titus was not only given the title Caesar along with his younger brother to Caesar along with his younger brother to Caesar along with his younger brother to Mission but he also shared in his Mission but he also shared in his Mission but he also shared in his father's tribun power served as Imperial

father's tribun power served as Imperial father's tribun power served as Imperial secretary and perhaps most important of secretary and perhaps most important of secretary and perhaps most important of all was made prefect of the petorian all was made prefect of the petorian all was made prefect of the petorian Guard if there was one lesson to be Guard if there was one lesson to be Guard if there was one lesson to be learned from the previous year's unrest learned from the previous year's unrest learned from the previous year's unrest it was that the emperor must watch the it was that the emperor must watch the it was that the emperor must watch the guard as vigilantly as they watched him guard as vigilantly as they watched him guard as vigilantly as they watched him with Titus serving as prefect Vespasian with Titus serving as prefect Vespasian with Titus serving as prefect Vespasian could be sure to remain one step ahead could be sure to remain one step ahead could be sure to remain one step ahead of any Palace of any Palace of any Palace coup the problem for Titus and the coup the problem for Titus and the coup the problem for Titus and the reason there were some misgivings about reason there were some misgivings about reason there were some misgivings about his Ascension is that all of this cast his Ascension is that all of this cast his Ascension is that all of this cast him in the role of enforcer of Imperial him in the role of enforcer of Imperial him in the role of enforcer of Imperial will he was the bad cop to vespasian's will he was the bad cop to vespasian's will he was the bad cop to vespasian's good cop and Titus quickly gained a good cop and Titus quickly gained a good cop and Titus quickly gained a reputation for uncompromising reputation for uncompromising reputation for uncompromising ruthlessness ruthlessness ruthlessness when he did faret out a plot here or a when he did faret out a plot here or a when he did faret out a plot here or a conspiracy there he did not hesitate to conspiracy there he did not hesitate to conspiracy there he did not hesitate to execute or Exile the scheming parties execute or Exile the scheming parties execute or Exile the scheming parties involved as was the case with kisina involved as was the case with kisina involved as was the case with kisina near the end of vespasian's near the end of vespasian's near the end of vespasian's Reign the lack of due process that Reign the lack of due process that Reign the lack of due process that accompanied the execution of suspected accompanied the execution of suspected accompanied the execution of suspected enemies of the state led many to enemies of the state led many to enemies of the state led many to naturally fear what Titus would do once naturally fear what Titus would do once naturally fear what Titus would do once he ruled in his own he ruled in his own he ruled in his own right his alleged cruel streak was then right his alleged cruel streak was then right his alleged cruel streak was then coupled with a growing reputation as a coupled with a growing reputation as a coupled with a growing reputation as a cavorting hedonist he isn't even married cavorting hedonist he isn't even married cavorting hedonist he isn't even married the scandalized chattering class is Fred the scandalized chattering class is Fred the scandalized chattering class is Fred and a caricature soon emerged of Titus and a caricature soon emerged of Titus and a caricature soon emerged of Titus as The Reincarnation of as The Reincarnation of as The Reincarnation of Nero adding to His Image problem was the Nero adding to His Image problem was the Nero adding to His Image problem was the fact that while he had been posted in fact that while he had been posted in fact that while he had been posted in the East he had begun a relationship

the East he had begun a relationship the East he had begun a relationship with the Jewish Queen barones who had with the Jewish Queen barones who had with the Jewish Queen barones who had been driven out of Judea when the Revolt been driven out of Judea when the Revolt been driven out of Judea when the Revolt began in ' began in ' began in ' 66 the two remained romantically 66 the two remained romantically 66 the two remained romantically attached for years and in 75 she attached for years and in 75 she attached for years and in 75 she traveled to Rome to live with the man traveled to Rome to live with the man traveled to Rome to live with the man who was her husband in all but legal who was her husband in all but legal who was her husband in all but legal title this was too much for the Romans title this was too much for the Romans title this was too much for the Romans however whose feelings about temptu however whose feelings about temptu however whose feelings about temptu Eastern queens has been well Eastern queens has been well Eastern queens has been well documented finally bowing to public documented finally bowing to public documented finally bowing to public pressure Titus ended his relationship pressure Titus ended his relationship pressure Titus ended his relationship and sent barones back to the and sent barones back to the and sent barones back to the east after he became emperor she east after he became emperor she east after he became emperor she attempted to return to his side in Rome attempted to return to his side in Rome attempted to return to his side in Rome but he ordered her away again unwilling but he ordered her away again unwilling but he ordered her away again unwilling to risk the political Fallout that was to risk the political Fallout that was to risk the political Fallout that was sure to accompany her sure to accompany her sure to accompany her arrival but though he was not trusted by arrival but though he was not trusted by arrival but though he was not trusted by the nobility and was not particularly the nobility and was not particularly the nobility and was not particularly popular with the masses when he popular with the masses when he popular with the masses when he succeeded his father in 79 Titus quickly succeeded his father in 79 Titus quickly succeeded his father in 79 Titus quickly proved all worries about his character proved all worries about his character proved all worries about his character totally totally totally baseless he had played the bad cop baseless he had played the bad cop baseless he had played the bad cop because that is what his father required because that is what his father required because that is what his father required and his reputation as a dionysian prince and his reputation as a dionysian prince and his reputation as a dionysian prince was revealed to have been a gross was revealed to have been a gross was revealed to have been a gross exaggeration he was every bit of exaggeration he was every bit of exaggeration he was every bit of self-confident as his father had been self-confident as his father had been self-confident as his father had been leading to the same sort of rational not leading to the same sort of rational not leading to the same sort of rational not insane policies that were fast becoming insane policies that were fast becoming insane policies that were fast becoming the Hallmark of the flavian the Hallmark of the flavian the Hallmark of the flavian Dynasty in a move 180° removed from the Dynasty in a move 180° removed from the Dynasty in a move 180° removed from the doubters assumptions about him Titus doubters assumptions about him Titus doubters assumptions about him Titus took the step of formally abolishing the took the step of formally abolishing the took the step of formally abolishing the treason courts which had been disdained treason courts which had been disdained treason courts which had been disdained by his father but were still officially by his father but were still officially by his father but were still officially on the books as a legal

on the books as a legal on the books as a legal possibility he even went so far as to possibility he even went so far as to possibility he even went so far as to punish potential informants who came by punish potential informants who came by punish potential informants who came by the palace looking to Pedal juicy gossip the palace looking to Pedal juicy gossip the palace looking to Pedal juicy gossip in exchange for in exchange for in exchange for favors rather than hedonistic cruelty favors rather than hedonistic cruelty favors rather than hedonistic cruelty displayed the exact opposite at every displayed the exact opposite at every displayed the exact opposite at every turn and was lauded by contemporaries turn and was lauded by contemporaries turn and was lauded by contemporaries and historians alike for his generous and historians alike for his generous and historians alike for his generous Spirit according to the legend he Spirit according to the legend he Spirit according to the legend he famously remarked one evening after famously remarked one evening after famously remarked one evening after realizing he had done no one any favors realizing he had done no one any favors realizing he had done no one any favors that day friends I have wasted a that day friends I have wasted a that day friends I have wasted a day of course his Sterling historical day of course his Sterling historical day of course his Sterling historical reputation is aided by the brevity of reputation is aided by the brevity of reputation is aided by the brevity of his term in office cassus Dio writing a his term in office cassus Dio writing a his term in office cassus Dio writing a 100 years after his death made the point 100 years after his death made the point 100 years after his death made the point of contrasting Titus with Augustus of contrasting Titus with Augustus of contrasting Titus with Augustus stating that while Augustus never would stating that while Augustus never would stating that while Augustus never would have been so loved had he lived a have been so loved had he lived a have been so loved had he lived a shorter life Titus never would have been shorter life Titus never would have been shorter life Titus never would have been so loved had he lived a longer so loved had he lived a longer so loved had he lived a longer one Titus is also helped by the fact one Titus is also helped by the fact one Titus is also helped by the fact that his actions supposedly contrast that his actions supposedly contrast that his actions supposedly contrast sharply with those of his monstrous sharply with those of his monstrous sharply with those of his monstrous brother demission who was universally brother demission who was universally brother demission who was universally derided by the ancient derided by the ancient derided by the ancient historians as we'll see next week historians as we'll see next week historians as we'll see next week demission probably wasn't as bad as he demission probably wasn't as bad as he demission probably wasn't as bad as he is made out to be but the senatorial is made out to be but the senatorial is made out to be but the senatorial historians certainly had an axe to grind historians certainly had an axe to grind historians certainly had an axe to grind with him and building Titus up into some with him and building Titus up into some with him and building Titus up into some super wonderful Dreamboat was probably a super wonderful Dreamboat was probably a super wonderful Dreamboat was probably a part of that part of that part of that process this is not to diminish Titus process this is not to diminish Titus process this is not to diminish Titus too much just to say that when it comes too much just to say that when it comes too much just to say that when it comes to judging him we have a pretty small to judging him we have a pretty small to judging him we have a pretty small sample size to work with and a pretty sample size to work with and a pretty sample size to work with and a pretty biased panel of

Judges an early test of his character Judges an early test of his character came in either August or October 79 ad came in either August or October 79 ad came in either August or October 79 ad depending on who you talk to when Mount depending on who you talk to when Mount depending on who you talk to when Mount vvus situated off the Bay of Naples vvus situated off the Bay of Naples vvus situated off the Bay of Naples suddenly erupted burying the surrounding suddenly erupted burying the surrounding suddenly erupted burying the surrounding Countryside in 60 ft of Ash and volcanic Countryside in 60 ft of Ash and volcanic Countryside in 60 ft of Ash and volcanic rock famously the resort town of Pompei rock famously the resort town of Pompei rock famously the resort town of Pompei was utterly destroyed but we should not was utterly destroyed but we should not was utterly destroyed but we should not forget that numerous companian cities forget that numerous companian cities forget that numerous companian cities perished at the same perished at the same perished at the same time it is estimated that somewhere time it is estimated that somewhere time it is estimated that somewhere between 10 and 25,000 people lost their between 10 and 25,000 people lost their between 10 and 25,000 people lost their lives including plen the Elder the great lives including plen the Elder the great lives including plen the Elder the great naturalist who died attempting a rescue naturalist who died attempting a rescue naturalist who died attempting a rescue operation in the aftermath of the operation in the aftermath of the operation in the aftermath of the initial initial initial blast though the disaster was of course blast though the disaster was of course blast though the disaster was of course a great tragedy today we remember Pompei a great tragedy today we remember Pompei a great tragedy today we remember Pompei primarily for the archaeological ruins primarily for the archaeological ruins primarily for the archaeological ruins that were left that were left that were left behind the volcanic Fallout turned the behind the volcanic Fallout turned the behind the volcanic Fallout turned the resort Town into a near perfect time resort Town into a near perfect time resort Town into a near perfect time capsule and a great deal of our capsule and a great deal of our capsule and a great deal of our understanding about daily life in first understanding about daily life in first understanding about daily life in first century Rome comes from the preserved century Rome comes from the preserved century Rome comes from the preserved remains Pompei remains high on my list remains Pompei remains high on my list remains Pompei remains high on my list of places to visit before I of places to visit before I of places to visit before I die Titus however did not dwell on what die Titus however did not dwell on what die Titus however did not dwell on what a marvelous Arch ological site had just a marvelous Arch ological site had just a marvelous Arch ological site had just been created and was quick to appoint been created and was quick to appoint been created and was quick to appoint two EXC consoles to lead a relief effort two EXC consoles to lead a relief effort two EXC consoles to lead a relief effort and donated huge sums out of the and donated huge sums out of the and donated huge sums out of the Imperial treasury to Aid with first the Imperial treasury to Aid with first the Imperial treasury to Aid with first the cleanup and then the Reconstruction of cleanup and then the Reconstruction of cleanup and then the Reconstruction of the devastated the devastated the devastated area he was able to visit the ruin sight area he was able to visit the ruin sight area he was able to visit the ruin sight of Pompei twice before he died and it of Pompei twice before he died and it of Pompei twice before he died and it was on that second visit that another was on that second visit that another was on that second visit that another disaster struck that again proved

disaster struck that again proved disaster struck that again proved titus's generosity of titus's generosity of titus's generosity of spirit in the spring of 8 ad a huge fire spirit in the spring of 8 ad a huge fire spirit in the spring of 8 ad a huge fire broke out that while it did not match broke out that while it did not match broke out that while it did not match the great fire in sheer destructive the great fire in sheer destructive the great fire in sheer destructive force did serious damage to the capital force did serious damage to the capital force did serious damage to the capital and F A number of important buildings and F A number of important buildings and F A number of important buildings including the original Pantheon that had including the original Pantheon that had including the original Pantheon that had been built by Marcus been built by Marcus been built by Marcus agria Titus rushed back to the city and agria Titus rushed back to the city and agria Titus rushed back to the city and once again set the full weight of the once again set the full weight of the once again set the full weight of the Imperial treasury to the task of helping Imperial treasury to the task of helping Imperial treasury to the task of helping the the the victims his response to these crises victims his response to these crises victims his response to these crises endeared him to the Romans at all levels endeared him to the Romans at all levels endeared him to the Romans at all levels of society as natural disasters of this of society as natural disasters of this of society as natural disasters of this sort do not distinguish between social sort do not distinguish between social sort do not distinguish between social classes and everyone needed the classes and everyone needed the classes and everyone needed the emperor's help his popularity then emperor's help his popularity then emperor's help his popularity then soared when he was able to complete the soared when he was able to complete the soared when he was able to complete the Coliseum and adjacent flavian baths by Coliseum and adjacent flavian baths by Coliseum and adjacent flavian baths by that summer inaugurating the Grand that summer inaugurating the Grand that summer inaugurating the Grand Stadium with a 100 days of games Stadium with a 100 days of games Stadium with a 100 days of games gladiatorial matches exotic animal hunts gladiatorial matches exotic animal hunts gladiatorial matches exotic animal hunts and chariot and chariot and chariot races exhausted from dealing with their races exhausted from dealing with their races exhausted from dealing with their burned out City the population was eager burned out City the population was eager burned out City the population was eager for a distraction from their problems for a distraction from their problems for a distraction from their problems and Titus obliged them and Titus obliged them and Titus obliged them splendidly on the last day of the splendidly on the last day of the splendidly on the last day of the inaugural games Titus formerly dedicated inaugural games Titus formerly dedicated inaugural games Titus formerly dedicated the so-called flavian Amphitheater in the so-called flavian Amphitheater in the so-called flavian Amphitheater in what would prove to be his final what would prove to be his final what would prove to be his final official act as official act as official act as emperor in September of 81 ad just a emperor in September of 81 ad just a emperor in September of 81 ad just a short distance from Rome the traveling short distance from Rome the traveling short distance from Rome the traveling Emperor was forced to put in an away Emperor was forced to put in an away Emperor was forced to put in an away station after coming down with an station after coming down with an station after coming down with an infection on September 13th just 2 years infection on September 13th just 2 years infection on September 13th just 2 years into a Reign that most figured would

into a Reign that most figured would into a Reign that most figured would last for a generation Titus succumbed to last for a generation Titus succumbed to last for a generation Titus succumbed to his his his ailment his last words were the ailment his last words were the ailment his last words were the enigmatic I have made but one enigmatic I have made but one enigmatic I have made but one mistake much has been made about what mistake much has been made about what mistake much has been made about what the dying Emperor could have meant with the dying Emperor could have meant with the dying Emperor could have meant with suggestions including his impious suggestions including his impious suggestions including his impious entrance into the holy of holies during entrance into the holy of holies during entrance into the holy of holies during the sack of Jerusalem beginning his the sack of Jerusalem beginning his the sack of Jerusalem beginning his improper relationship with Queen barones improper relationship with Queen barones improper relationship with Queen barones abruptly ending said relationship with abruptly ending said relationship with abruptly ending said relationship with Queen barones conducting a secret affair Queen barones conducting a secret affair Queen barones conducting a secret affair with the mission's wife or a favorite of with the mission's wife or a favorite of with the mission's wife or a favorite of later historians not killing demission later historians not killing demission later historians not killing demission when the latter was discovered when the latter was discovered when the latter was discovered supposedly plotting against his supposedly plotting against his supposedly plotting against his brother we'll never know for sure what brother we'll never know for sure what brother we'll never know for sure what Titus was referring to because well he Titus was referring to because well he Titus was referring to because well he died right after uttering his died right after uttering his died right after uttering his delightfully self-confident Epitaph but delightfully self-confident Epitaph but delightfully self-confident Epitaph but just for fun sometimes I like to imagine just for fun sometimes I like to imagine just for fun sometimes I like to imagine it as something ridiculously trivial it as something ridiculously trivial it as something ridiculously trivial like maybe he was remembering the time like maybe he was remembering the time like maybe he was remembering the time he forgot to bring wine to a dinner he forgot to bring wine to a dinner he forgot to bring wine to a dinner party and so while everyone is looking party and so while everyone is looking party and so while everyone is looking around for some huge Revelation in his around for some huge Revelation in his around for some huge Revelation in his cryptic Rose budding Titus was actually cryptic Rose budding Titus was actually cryptic Rose budding Titus was actually just talking about the time he got just talking about the time he got just talking about the time he got caught in the rain without an umbrella caught in the rain without an umbrella caught in the rain without an umbrella but I but I but I digress the unmarried Titus had no male digress the unmarried Titus had no male digress the unmarried Titus had no male heirs to pass the throne to and his heirs to pass the throne to and his heirs to pass the throne to and his relative youth had made worrying about relative youth had made worrying about relative youth had made worrying about succession seem somewhat morbid so the succession seem somewhat morbid so the succession seem somewhat morbid so the throne fell to his younger brother throne fell to his younger brother throne fell to his younger brother demission demission had been living for demission demission had been living for demission demission had been living for years with a massive inferiority complex years with a massive inferiority complex years with a massive inferiority complex that he suffered as a result of being that he suffered as a result of being that he suffered as a result of being the practically forgotten son of vpan

the practically forgotten son of vpan the practically forgotten son of vpan and he was eager to hold power in his and he was eager to hold power in his and he was eager to hold power in his own right mourning his elder brother own right mourning his elder brother own right mourning his elder brother only briefly before hurrying to the only briefly before hurrying to the only briefly before hurrying to the petorian camp to seal the emperorship petorian camp to seal the emperorship petorian camp to seal the emperorship that had just fallen in his that had just fallen in his that had just fallen in his lap though he held the title of Caesar lap though he held the title of Caesar lap though he held the title of Caesar since the fall of vellus the mission had since the fall of vellus the mission had since the fall of vellus the mission had been relegated by his father to a merely been relegated by his father to a merely been relegated by his father to a merely ceremonial place within the government ceremonial place within the government ceremonial place within the government and Vespasian virtually ignored his and Vespasian virtually ignored his and Vespasian virtually ignored his younger son putting all his time and younger son putting all his time and younger son putting all his time and energy into energy into energy into Titus though Titus had promised to Titus though Titus had promised to Titus though Titus had promised to include to Mission in his own include to Mission in his own include to Mission in his own Administration he died before he could Administration he died before he could Administration he died before he could properly follow through on his promise properly follow through on his promise properly follow through on his promise so in one Fell Swoop Rome lost a mature so in one Fell Swoop Rome lost a mature so in one Fell Swoop Rome lost a mature Emperor with extensive military Emperor with extensive military Emperor with extensive military diplomatic and administrative experience diplomatic and administrative experience diplomatic and administrative experience and gained in his place an immature and gained in his place an immature and gained in his place an immature Emperor with no experience and a chip on Emperor with no experience and a chip on Emperor with no experience and a chip on his his his shoulder demission was not unintelligent shoulder demission was not unintelligent shoulder demission was not unintelligent and as untested pampered princes go he and as untested pampered princes go he and as untested pampered princes go he was not that bad at least he was was not that bad at least he was was not that bad at least he was interested in the hard work of Empire interested in the hard work of Empire interested in the hard work of Empire but he also jealously guarded his power but he also jealously guarded his power but he also jealously guarded his power and dispensed with the facade of and dispensed with the facade of and dispensed with the facade of democracy that previous emperor had been democracy that previous emperor had been democracy that previous emperor had been so careful to maintain is it any Wonder so careful to maintain is it any Wonder so careful to maintain is it any Wonder then that the men who wrote the history then that the men who wrote the history then that the men who wrote the history of the Empire all men of senatorial rank of the Empire all men of senatorial rank of the Empire all men of senatorial rank did their best to confine the mission to did their best to confine the mission to did their best to confine the mission to the dust bin of History the dust bin of History the dust bin of History [Music]