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The Flavian Dynasty

The Flavian Dynasty . Vespasian 69-79 CE Titus 79-81 CE Domitian 81-96 CE. Crisis and Recovery: Hereditary vs Competitive. There was no clear heir to Nero, as there had been to previous rulers Hereditary system had worked to quiet some competition among aristocracy.

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The Flavian Dynasty

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  1. The Flavian Dynasty Vespasian 69-79 CE Titus 79-81 CE Domitian 81-96 CE

  2. Crisis and Recovery: Hereditary vs Competitive • There was no clear heir to Nero, as there had been to previous rulers • Hereditary system had worked to quiet some competition among aristocracy. • Without a blood heir, the system of competition reemerged among a wider Roman elite. • Despite the turmoil, a return to the Republic was never contemplated seriously. • In 68-69, four emperors reign: Galba, Otho and Vitellius and finally Vespasian (Flavian)

  3. Crisis and Recovery: Hereditary vs Competitive • Tacitus says: "For now had been divulged that secret of the empire, that emperors could be made elsewhere than Rome." In the Republic, military success led to political influence: • Sulla, Marius, Pompey, J. Caesar, and Augustus • It especially influenced the people, but to some extent the senate as well. • In 68-69, commanders are openly proclaimed princeps by troops • Troops then foist this new regime on Rome. • This year begins to prove the ineffectiveness of the senate in maintaining control of the empire.

  4. Galba, Otho, Vitellius: The "Long Year" of 68-69 CE Galba (8 Jun 68 – 15 Jan 69) • Galba, an older patrician, was provincial governor of Spain with legions. • Initially, he had the support of the Senate. • He was too austere (strict manner and attitude); his adopted heir, Piso, had no "troop" appeal. Otho (15 Jan – 16 Apr 69) • Otho was an outsider to Roman aristocracy. • He had been a supporter of Nero once. • He bribed the Praetorian guard, who marched on Galba and assassinated him. Vitellius (16 Apr – 22 Dec 69) • At the Battle of Cremona, April 69: Vitellius defeated Otho. • Vitellius was the governor of southern Germany. • He was also supported by the legions of upper Germany. • He became the first princeps chosen by a constituency outside of Rome itself. • Vitellius' troops devastated the Italian countryside on way to Rome from Cremona. • Vitellius turned out to be the year's worst emperor, a debauched glutton.

  5. The Significance of the Civil Wars • Emperors could be created outside of Rome, showing the waning of the city's pre-eminence. • Vespasian dated his principate from when he was hailed emperor by troops in Judea. • The political influence of Rome was eclipsed by that of the legions in the provinces. • Regions of the empire began competing for political control. • Emperors need not come from senatorial aristocracy. • Thus ended the "urban principate" of Nero's style. • Provincials gained political influence throughout the empire. • To increase their power base, Galba, Otho, and Vitellius granted citizenship to supportive provincial communities.

  6. The Flavians:the ascension of Vespasian • Vespasian had been procurator of Judea, appointed by Nero. • He was an equestrian from northern Italy. • Tacitus records that by Dec 22 in 69, Vespasian had been given all the honours and privileges usually granted to emperors. • July 1, 69 CE: Vespasian hailed "imperator" by legions in Judea. • Vespasian and Governor of Syria Gaius Licinius Mucianus decided to revolt against Vitellius. • The legions of Syria and those in Egypt supported him. • The eastern legions wanted part of the emperor-making action. • The legions of Pannonia, under M. Antonius Primus, side with Vespasian. • Vespasian quickly marched to Rome • Once again at Cremona, two armies battled, with Vepasian's forces winning. • They sacked the city, which Tacitus compares to the Fall of Troy. • Vitellius and his supporters cowered in Rome, where Vespasian planned to starve them out. • The armies battled on the Capitoline Hill, and Vespasian's forces gained control of the city. • Vespasian promoted dynastic succession – the emperorship fell to his son in 79.

  7. Vespasian 69-79 - Emperorship • Vespasian had inaugurated a stricter fiscal policy. • New taxes established. • Tax immunities in Greece revoked. • Vespasian arrived in Rome in 70 CE and faced the daunting task of restoring a city and a government ravaged by the recent civil wars. • Vespasian encouraged rebuilding on vacated lots, restored the Capitol (burned in 69), and also began work on several new buildings: • a temple to the deified Claudius on the Caelian Hill, a project designed to identify Vespasian as a legitimate heir to the Julio-Claudians; • a temple of Peace near the Forum; and • the magnificent Flavian Amphitheatre (Colosseum)

  8. Vespasian 69-79 – Emperorship cont... • Implemented a number of political, social and economic reforms: • supported senators not possessing the property qualifications of their rank; • restored many cities of throughout the empire; • granted state salaries for the first time to teachers of Latin and Greek rhetoric; • encouraged theatrical productions by building a new stage for the Theatre of Marcellus; and • Restored the depleted ranks of the equestrian and senatorial orders with eligible Italian and provincial candidates. • Vespasian had been "the first truly worthy successor to Augustus" • He had become princeps by his own making and by his own merits. • He was frugal - managed revenues well enough to plan imperial expenditures years in advance. • He put down rebellions in Judea and Germany.

  9. Titus 79-81 – son of Vespasian • Vespasian had groomed Titus to be princeps with consulships and tribunician power. • Vespasian had left Titus in Judea to finish siege of Jerusalem. • He stormed Jerusalem in 70. • He gained a triumph with Vespasian in 71. • 73 - the siege of Masada finally ends. • Titus's reign marked by two disasters: • The eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 • The fire which broke out in Rome in 80

  10. Titus – Economic credentials • Titus funded numerous projects and policies; • The Colosseum – in celebration of its completion Titus held a 100 day festival; • Arch of Titus – to commemorate his victories in Jerusalem • Imperial baths to the south-east of the Colosseum; • Road building in the provinces; • Emergency funding for Vesuvius and surrounding area; and • Contributed money and aid to rebuilding Rome after a fire in 80. • As a result of these actions, Titus earned a reputation for generosity and geniality.

  11. Titus – Administrative credentials • Titus’ financial acumen (ability to make good judgements) must not be under-estimated: • He left the treasury with a surplus • Dealt promptly and efficiently with natural disasters • Cassius Dio said of Titus; "In money matters, Titus was frugal and made no unnecessary expenditure." • In other areas Titus proved efficient as well; • selected appropriate senior officials and amicicuriae (friend of the court); • legislative activity tended to focus on popular social measures, with the army as a particular beneficiary in the areas of land ownership, marriage, and testamentary freedom; • Titus continued his father's policies by strengthening roads and forts in the East and along the Danube; and • Titus maintained a high degree of economic and administrative competence in Italy and beyond.

  12. The Flavian Amphitheatre - The Colosseum • It was inaugurated with 100 days of games: 5,000 animals were slaughtered on one day. • It was built on the site of Nero's palace, the golden house. • Thus it gave back to the people what Nero had used for himself. • It was architecturally challenging because of its scale. • There were considerations of crowd control. • It was not, however, innovative. • Amphitheatres were already part of the urban landscape by this time.

  13. Domitian – early life and career • Domitian was born in Rome on 24 October 51 CE • Educated in Rome in the same way as any member of the senatorial elite. • Isolated during his youth – • Mother died while he was young and his father and brother were preoccupied in Judea. • Domitian enjoyed solitude, which later contributed to his difficulties with various constituents as emperor. • Domitian’s political career was determined by Vespasian’s choice of Titus as his successor. • Held less prestigious consulships, retained title of Caesar, and held numerous priesthoods. • Domitian received neither tribunician power nor imperiumof any kind.

  14. Domitian 81-96 – son of Vespasian • Domitian was one of Rome's foremost micromanagers, especially concerning the economy. • Left the treasury in surplus • Undertook extensive building programs - built, restored, or completed some 50 structures, including the Temple of Jupiter on the Capitol and the Palatine palace. • Domitian proved a passionate autocrat: • He declared himself censor perpetuus(censor for life) – obsessed with all aspects of Roman life • Identified himself closely with the Roman Gods Jupiter and Minerva • Held the Capitoline Games in 86 to honour Jupiter (held every four years)

  15. Arch of Titus • Constructed for Titus’ triumph in putting down the revolt in Judea • Built by Josephus who was a Roman sympathizer • He had originally fought against the Romans in rebellion in 66-70 • He was captured by the Romans • Emperor Domitian had construction completed in 82 to commemorate Titus' victories, including the Siege of Jerusalem in 70.

  16. Arch of Titus Triumphal Procession with the spoils from the Temple of Jerusalem (Romans taking spoils from Jerusalem). • "The Roman Senate and People (dedicate this) to the divine Titus Vespasianus Augustus, son of the divine Vespasian." • Titus as triumphator – attended by genii (protective spirits) and lictors (bodyguard)

  17. Domitian: the End of a Dynasty • Was hailed as "dominus et deus" (lord and god), and was made Censor perpetuus. • Domitian was assassinated in a palace coup. • Fear had been building due to a rebellion in Germany along the Rhine. • Then followed the peaceful accession of Nerva (the next dynasty). • The Flavians had had no consideration for "ceremonial constitutionality." • They did not respect the façade of Republican magistracies. • Domitian especially had scorned the senators' honour. • The Roman Senate passed a DamnatioMemoriae, which removed all mention of Domitian.

  18. Life after the Flavian Dynasty “Domitian himself, it is said, dreamed that a golden hump grew out on his back, and he regarded this as an infallible sign that the condition of the empire would be happier and more prosperous after his time; and this was shortly shown to be true through the uprightness and moderate rule of the succeeding emperors.” ~ Suetonius, Life of Domitian ~

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