The Roman Emperor Titus

by David Padfield

 

Titus Flavius Vespasianus was the elder son of the Roman emperor Vespasian. Titus was born in A.D. 30 and became emperor in A.D. 79. Soon after his twentieth birthday, he served as military tribune in Germany and Britain.

In A.D. 66 Vespasian was sent to Judea by Nero to crush the Jewish rebellion. In a rather unusual move, Titus was appointed to control one of Vespasian's three legions. In the city of Caesarea Maritima the Roman legions proclaimed Vespasian emperor in A.D. 69, and Titus was then made supreme commander of the Jewish War. In August of A.D. 70 the temple in Jerusalem was taken and destroyed by the armies of Titus. The Jewish rebels were not completely defeated until A.D. 74 when the fortress of Masada was taken.

After the death of his father, Titus became emperor in A.D. 79. He ruled only 26 months, and died suddenly on Sept. 13, 81 of natural causes. He was deified after his death.