Vespasian

Question 1

What does Suetonius say about Vespasian’s deification humour?

Answer 1

Suetonius, Vespasian 2: “His deathbed joke was ‘Dear me! I must be turning into a god’”

Question 2

What does Dio say about Vespasian’s personality (trust)?

Answer 2

Dio, Roman History 66.10: “he was happy to receive anyone who wished to see him…the palace doors were always open throughout the day”.

Question 3

What does Tacitus say about the Senate upon Vespasian’s accession?

Answer 3

Tacitus: “the Senate awarded Vespasian all the usual imperial titles”

Question 4

What does Suetonius say about Vespasian’s accession?

Answer 4

Suetonius: Vespasian and his sons formed a recognised and overt dynasty immediately.

Question 5

What does Josephus say to Vespasian in AD 67?

Answer 5

Josephus, Jewish Wars: “You, Vespasian, are Caesar and Emperor, you and your son here”

Question 6

What does Dio say about the people in Alexandria’s opinions of Vespasian?

Answer 6

Dio: “despite these signs of heavenly honour, the people of Alexandria gave him no signs of welcome”.

Question 7

What does the Denarius of Vespasian show?

Answer 7

Coin minted in AD 69.
Obverse: head of Vespasian
Reverse: heads of Titus and Domitian
Shows the ready-made dynasty.

Question 8

What does Dio say about the omens surrounding Vespasian?

Answer 8

Dio: writes that when Vespasian entered Alexandria in AD 69, he “healed” two men by spitting on them.

Question 9

What does Tacitus say about the omens surrounding Vespasian?

Answer 9

Tacitus: “It was only after the rise of the Flavians that we Romans believed in such stories”.

Question 10

What does Suetonius say about Vespasian’s class reforms?

Answer 10

Suetonius, Vespasian 9: “He reformed the senatorial and equestrian orders, now weakened by frequent murders and long-term neglect”.

Question 11

How is Helvidius Priscus presented in the works of Suetonius and Dio?

Answer 11

Presented as being a constant voice of discontent in the Senate and there was evidence of a clique being formed behind him.

Question 12

What does Suetonius say about the execution of Helvidius Priscus?

Answer 12

Suetonius: Vespasian had sent the orders for his execution but tried to reprieve them. The reprieve was never received due to a mistaken report of Priscus already being executed.

Question 13

What does Dio say about the execution of Helvidius Priscus?

Answer 13

Dio: Helvidius’ subsequent execution did nothing to halt the Stoic opposition to imperial autocracy.

Question 14

What does Suetonius say about the plots surrounding Vespasian?

Answer 14

Suetonius, Vespasian 25: alleges that there were frequent plots to murder him, but doesn’t give any details.

Question 15

What does Dio say about the plots surrounding Vespasian?

Answer 15

Dio, Roman History: discusses an alleged plot by Caecina Alienus and Marcellus - the date is unknown.

Question 16

What does Suetonius say about Vespasian’s relationship with the plebs?

Answer 16

Suetonius, Vespasian 17: Vespasian said “I must always ensure that the working classes earn enough money to buy themselves food”

Question 17

What does Josephus say about the plebs’ reaction to Vespasian becoming emperor?

Answer 17

Josephus, Jewish War 7.63-74: “The people…were even more eager for his coming…they believed that they could…again enjoy their former peace and prosperity”

Question 18

What does the Chronicle of 354 part 16 say?

Answer 18

“Divus Vespasian…gave a handout of 85 denarii”

Question 19

What does Suetonius say that Vespasian focuses on too much in his reign?

Answer 19

Suetonius, Vespasian 16: says that he focused too much on the acquisition of funds.

Question 20

What does Suetonius say about Vespasian’s setting up of his dynasty?

Answer 20

Suetonius, Vespasian 25: Vespasian “dared to tell the Senate that either his sons would succeed him or no one would”.

Question 21

What does Dio say about Vespasian’s setting up of his dynasty?

Answer 21

Dio Cassius, Roman History: “Vespasian was greatly distressed [at Helvidius’ arrest] and left the senate-house in tears. His only comment was that ‘my son is going to be my successor; no one else’”

Question 22

What does the Denarius of Vespasian show? [religion]

Answer 22

Minted AD 71
Obverse: head of Vespasian
Reverse: priestly implements of the four traditional priestly colleges
Echoes one of Augustus’ issues to legitimise his position through traditional elements

Question 23

What does the Sestertius of Vespasian show?

Answer 23

Minted AD 71
Obverse: head of Vespasian
Reverse: temple of Isis “by decree of the Senate”
Associates him with the cult of Isis

Question 24

What does the Aureus of Vespasian show? (after his death)

Answer 24

Minted AD 84
Obverse: head of Domitian
Reverse: Altar, “to Imperial Well-being, by decree of the senate”.
Commemorating the dedication of an altar to his well-being

Question 25

What does the Sestertius of Vespasian show? (liberty)

Answer 25

Minted AD 71
Obverse: Head of Vespasian
Reverse: Vespasian standing with Libertas “Freedom Restored, by decree of the Senate”
Displaying himself as the restorer of freedom, with the backing of the senate.

Question 26

What does the Aureus of Vespasian show? (coin minted early reign)

Answer 26

Minted AD 70.
Obverse: head of Vespasian
Reverse: Nemesis holding a caduceus over a snake, “to the peace of Augustus”.
Commemorates the establishment of peace following the civil war.