Flavian Dynasty Worksheets
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Summary
- Establishment of the Flavian Dynasty
- Rulers of the Flavian Dynasty
- Administration of the Roman Empire under the Flavian Dynasty
- Flavian Culture and Legacy
Key Facts And Information
Let’s know more about the Flavian Dynasty!
The Flavian dynasty was the second dynastic line of emperors who ruled the Roman Empire between 69 and 96 CE. It included the reigns of Vespasian, Titus and Domitian. Among the four dynasties of the Principate Era, the Flavian dynasty was different as Vespasian was succeeded by his two sons without any adopted family. Among the notable legacies of the Flavians were the revaluation of Roman coinage and massive constructions, including the Colosseum. The dynasty ended with the assassination of Domitian in 96 CE.
Depiction of the Flavian Dynasty in The Triumph of Titus
Establishment of the Flavian Dynasty
- After the civil war in the 1st century BCE, the old Roman aristocracy began to decline and was replaced by the prominence of a new Italian nobility, including the Flavians. The first was Titus Flavius Petro, Vespasian’s grandfather, who served as a centurion under Pompey.
- Amidst the defeat during Caesar’s Civil War, the patriarch of the Flavians acquired enormous wealth and status. Petro’s son Titus Flavius Sabinus I, who served as a tax collector in Asia and also a banker in Helvetia, further secured their status by marrying one of the prestigious patricians, Vespasia Polla. As a result, their sons Titus Flavius Sabinus II and Vespasian gained significant status to the senatorial rank.
- From his marriage to Domitilla the Elder, Vespasian had two sons and a daughter: Titus Flavius Vespasianus, Titus Flavius Domitianus and Domitilla.
- Early in his career, Vespasian served as quaestor, aedile, praetor and consul by 51 CE. In 43 CE, he participated in the Roman invasion of Britain as a military commander.
- Throughout the 40s and 60s CE, the Flavian family, particularly Titus, was highly favoured by the emperor. Under Nero, Titus served as proconsul of the Africa province. From 57 to 59 CE, he was deployed as a military tribune in Germania and Britannia.
- In 68 CE, Nero committed suicide, ending the Julio-Claudian dynasty and causing a civil war, known as the Year of the Four Emperors. Upon Nero’s death, four of his influential generals (Galba, Otho, Vitellius and Vespasian) vied for imperial power.
- The Senate announced Galba as Nero’s successor, but he was murdered and replaced by Otho. With the intent of overthrowing Otho, Vitellius marched his army to Rome. Meanwhile, Vespasian was besieging the city and sent Titus to greet the new emperor. However, with news of the revolt, Titus rejoined his father in Judaea.
- In Rome, Otho and Vitellius then realised that the actual threat was Vespasian, who had enormous military strength.
- During the First Battle of Bedriacum, Vitellius defeated Otho. However, by July 69 CE, the armies in Judaea and Egypt declared Vespasian emperor. To consolidate his power, Vespasian allied with the governor of Syria, Gaius Licinius Mucianus.
Map showing the extent of the Roman Empire in 68-69 CE
- In October 69 CE, the armies of Vitellius and Vespasian met at the Second Battle of Bedriacum. In the end, Vitellius was forced to resign, but skirmishes continued in Rome. By December 69 CE, Vitellius was killed, and his army was defeated by the Flavian legions. By 21 December, the Senate proclaimed Vespasian emperor.
- Following Vitellius’s demise, Rome remained in a state of anarchy for days. Order was only restored in the early 70s CE after the establishment of an interim government headed by Mucianus.
- With Domitian as the Flavian representative in the Senate, Vespasian issued an edict reversing the laws of Nero, particularly those related to treason. After consolidating support in Egypt and securing supplies to Rome, specifically grains, Vespasian returned to the capital and was officially installed as emperor.
Rulers of the Flavian Dynasty
- The Flavian dynasty encompassed the reigns of Vespasian (69–79 CE) and his two sons Titus (79–81 CE) and Domitian (81–96 CE).
Vespasian
- Vespasian ruled the Roman Empire for 10 years. In his first year, Vespasian spent most of his time in Egypt consolidating support, while Rome was managed by Mucianus and aided by Domitian.
- By the mid-70s CE, Vespasian returned to Rome and promoted his dynasty. He employed several financial reforms, including new taxes and constructions. Among these was the building of the Flavian Amphitheatre, also known as the Colosseum, which was believed to have been funded using the spoils of the Siege of Jerusalem.
- Militarily, the empire engaged in the First Jewish-Roman War, resulting in the destruction of Jerusalem.
- On 23 June 79 CE, Vespasian died of illness and was succeeded by his sons.
Titus
- Titus was the first Roman emperor to succeed his biological father.
- Roman historian Suetonius considered Titus to be a good emperor. In 80 CE, he oversaw the completion of the Colosseum.
Set of three aurei depicting (top to bottom) Vespasian, Titus and Domitian
- Titus generally continued his father’s policies. His reign was politically peaceful, as no senators were put to death. However, it faced major disasters, including the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 CE and the great fire of Rome in 80 CE.
- The eruption of Mount Vesuvius resulted in the utter destruction of Pompeii and Herculaneum, burying the cities under metres of ash and killing thousands of people.
- The fire in 90 CE destroyed important public buildings, including the Pantheon, the Temple of Jupiter, the Diribitorium and parts of the Theatre of Pompey. According to Suetonius, a plague also broke out during the fire.
- Also, during Titus’s rule, the war with Britannia resumed, and his general Gnaeus Julius Agricola succeeded in establishing forts in Caledonia.
- Titus revived the practice of imperial cult, beginning with the deification of his father and laying the foundations of the Temple of Vespasian and Titus located at the western end of the Roman Forum.
- On 13 September 81 CE, Titus unexpectedly died of fever.
Domitian
- Following Titus’s death, the Praetorian Guard declared Domitian as emperor, a position he held for 15 years, longer than anyone who served as emperor since Tiberius Julius Caesar Augustus.
- Domitian’s rule saw the revaluation of Roman coinage, expansion of borders and continued building programmes. Like his brother, Domitian promoted a cult of personality by nominating himself as the perpetual censor of the Roman Empire. While he was popular among the people and the army, the members of the Senate saw Domitian as tyrannical.
- During his rule, Domitian erected or restored around 50 structures, including the Stadium of Domitian, the Odeon of Domitian, the Temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus and the Flavian Palace. He also added a fourth level to the Colosseum.
- Militarily, during the reign of Domitian, detailed reports on the conquest of northern Britain were recorded, particularly written by Tacitus. According to Tacitus, Agricola arrived in Roman Britain and ruled as governor. The successful campaigns reached Caldonia (modern-day Scotland). After six years of serving as governor, Agricola was recalled to Rome. In contrast to his success in Britain, Domitian was defeated by the Dacians.
- On 18 September 96 CE, court officials assassinated Domitian, ending the Flavian dynasty. He was succeeded by his advisor, Nerva, who founded the Nervan-Antonian dynasty, also known as the Five Good Emperors, which ruled the Roman Empire from 96 to 192 CE.
Administration of the Roman Empire under the Flavian Dynasty
- Following the fall of the Republic, Rome’s political administration was under the Principate, as established by Augustus. The Principate was characterised by the reign of a single emperor, known as princeps, who allowed the existence of a de facto dictatorial regime. While attempting to maintain the facade of democracy, as the Republic, most emperors ruled as de facto monarchs.
- After the civil war in 69 CE, it was clear that the military had absolute power over the empire. When Vespasian ascended, he immediately dismissed soldiers and military officials loyal to Vitellius. Furthermore, he restricted the Senatorial and Equestrian orders to those loyal to him, particularly family members.
- During Vespasian’s reign, Titus effectively acted as co-emperor upon receiving several consulships and commanding the Praetorian Guard.
- Domitian’s approach was inclined towards divine monarchy rather than the Republican facade that his father and brother employed. Under his government, the Senate’s power became obsolete, and Domitian ruled every branch of the administration. But while his predecessors favoured Flavians, Domitian rarely favoured family members.
Flavian Culture and Legacy
- To justify the Flavian rule, Vespasian used a massive propaganda campaign. It started with Vespasian as the bringer of peace, ending the crisis of 69. His military victories were often celebrated on minted coins.
- Public opinion was manipulated through literature by removing any biases against him and rewarding writers for praising his rule. Ancient historians, such as Tacitus, Suetonius, Pliny the Elder and Josephus, lived through the Flavian era.
- On the contrary to praising Titus in Pliny the Elder’s Natural History, historians who spoke against the Flavians were punished by expulsion from Rome or execution.
- Domitian deified his brother. Furthermore, the Temple of Vespasian and Titus was dedicated to the worship of his deified father and brother. Domitian particularly highlighted their dynasty’s connection with the god Jupiter.
- Another method of appeasing the citizens of Rome was gladiatorial games. Both Titus and Domitian promoted this form of entertainment. The inaugural games at the newly built Colosseum lasted for a hundred days. More investment was poured into the Capitoline Games in 86 CE, which included athletic displays, chariot races, oratory and acting.
- Amidst the relatively short-lived dynasty, the Flavians aided in stabilising the empire. However, its militaristic background promoted despotism, which limited the Senate’s power.
- Contemporary historians considered Domitian’s rule the culmination of the Pax Romana or Roman Peace. The era continued as the succeeding emperors, Nerva and Trajan, were less restrictive.
Frequently Asked Questions About The Flavian Dynasty
- What was the Flavian Dynasty?
The Flavian Dynasty was a Roman imperial dynasty that ruled the Roman Empire from 69 CE to 96 CE.
- Who were the emperors of the Flavian Dynasty?
The Flavian Dynasty consisted of three emperors:
Vespasian founded the dynasty after the turmoil of 69 CE. Titus, Vespasian's eldest son, was known for completing the Colosseum and dealing with the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Domitian, Titus's younger brother, whose reign ended with his assassination, marked the end of the dynasty. - How did the Flavian Dynasty come to power?
The Flavians rose to power during the civil war of 69 CE, known as the Year of the Four Emperors. After emperors Galba and Otho's quick successions and deaths, Vitellius became emperor. His claim was challenged by legions in the eastern provinces, who declared their commander, Vespasian, emperor.