Titus Flavius Vespasian

Emperador de Roma y conquistador de Jerusalén

(latín: Titus Flavius Sabinus Vespasianus)

Titus was emperor of the Roman Empire between 79 and 81 A.D., and the second ruler of the Flavian dynasty, established by his father, Vespasian. This dynasty governed Rome from 69 to 96 A.D. and comprised three consecutive reigns:

Vespasian (69–79)
Titus (79–81)
Domitian (81–96)

Military Career and the Conquest of Jerusalem

Antes de acceder al trono imperial, Tito adquirió notoriedad como comandante militar. Sirvió en Judea bajo las órdenes de su padre durante la primera guerra judeo-romana (67–70), un conflicto crucial para el control de la región oriental.

After the proclamation of Vespasian as emperor (December 21, 69), in the midst of the turbulent Year of the Four Emperors, Titus was tasked with crushing the Jewish revolt. He achieved it with military efficiency: he subdued Jerusalem after a brutal siege that culminated in the sack and destruction of the Second Temple—despite his express orders not to burn it, which his troops disobeyed
For this victory he was awarded a Roman triumph, and the Arch of Titus was erected in Rome, still standing today as a symbol of that campaign.

An Admired Emperor

Titus succeeded his father after Vespasian’s death on June 23, 79 A.D. He was considered an exemplary ruler by his contemporaries, including the historian Suetonius, and governed with remarkable popularity.

One of his first acts as emperor was to end the treason trials that for decades had been used to execute and oppress through denunciations and libel. He declared publicly:

“It is impossible for me to be insulted or slandered in any way. I do nothing that deserves reproach, and I do not care about the lies written about me.
And as for the emperors who are already dead and buried, they will avenge themselves if wronged, if indeed they are demigods and possess any power.”

During his short reign:

No senator was executed.
He punished and exiled public informers.
He assumed the office of Pontifex Maximus, vowing to keep his hands clean.

He was renowned for his generosity. Suetonius recounts that if Titus ended a day without having helped someone, he would say:

“Friends, I have lost a day.”

🏗️ Works, Disasters, and Legacy

Titus was responsible for major public works, most notably the completion of the Flavian Amphitheater, known today as the Colosseum.

His reputation also grew because of his exemplary response to two major disasters:

The eruption of Mount Vesuvius (79 A.D.), which buried Pompeii and Herculaneum.
The Great Fire of Rome (80 A.D.), which destroyed large parts of the city.

Titus organized relief efforts, funded reconstruction, and showed a compassionate and humane attitude, strengthening his image as a good ruler.

He died on September 13, 81 A.D., from fever, at the age of 41. His death was mourned throughout the Empire, and the Senate officially deified him.

He was succeeded by his younger brother, Domitian.

Summer of 79

Chapter 26

…During his visits, he had earned the friendship of more than one of them, not to mention the firm support of Secundus and Quintus Petilius. Even Titus Flavius himself, who had witnessed the death of his father, said to him before departing for Rome:
—You have done a good job. I am satisfied…

Did you know…?

🔹 Titus was the first Roman emperor to publicly reject repression for insults and slander, marking a radical departure from the excesses of Tiberius, Caligula, and Nero.

🔹 Although he led the conquest of Jerusalem, he expressly forbade the destruction of the Temple. His troops disobeyed, and the trauma of that act left a permanent mark on Jewish history.

🔹 The Arch of Titus, still standing in Rome, depicts the sack of the Temple, with Roman soldiers carrying the golden menorah.

🔹 The title he valued most was not “emperor” but Pontifex Maximus, the highest religious office, which he swore to exercise with clean hands.

🔹 In just two years of rule, he left such a powerful image that he was deified without opposition. Few emperors achieved such broad consensus in so little time.