Vespasianus (3 pictures)

Titus Flavius Vespasianus (Vespasian)
Emperor of Rome between 69 and 79 AD.  He was born in the year 9 AD to an Equestrian family in Sabine near Reate. He served in the army later to become a Senator and a Praetor.
In 40 he participated as a legion commander in the Roman invasion to Britannia. In 51 he served as a consul suffectus (substitute consul) and in 63 he was appointed Governor of Africa.  He was considered talented and loyal, and therefore received command over the army that was sent to Judea in 66 AD to suppress the Great Jewish Revolt.
He was still in Judea when Nero was overthrown by Galba. After Otho was defeated by Vitellius, the governors of Syria and Egypt sided with Vespasian in his fight over the emperorship. On July 1st, 69 they pledged allegiance to Vespasian and the act marked the beginning of his reign as emperor. 
The war with Vitellius was determined by Antonius Primus, who led his armies to Italy and defeated Vitellius' forces at Bodriacum. He then proceeded to Rome, killed Vitellius but failed to save Vespasian's brother's life. Vespasian himself arrived at Rome in 70 AD and was acknowledged by the Senate. He was the first emperor not to belong to a noble family.
A law that passed under Vespasian accredited the emperor with all the authorities his predecessors had acquired. Vespasian served frequently as a consul and so did his sons, Titus and Domitian.
Vespasian has been known for the comprehensive financial reform he conducted, which included a tax raise, selling Imperial assets and budget cuts. Thanks to this reform not only was the deficit eliminated but substantial reserves were accumulated.
Vespasian's reign also witnessed extensive construction. In his days the forum and the Temple of Peace were built, the burnt Temple of Jupiter was restored and the Coliseum's construction had started, to be finished by Titus.
In addition, Vespasian re-organized the army without adding to the number of legions. He suppressed the revolts in Judea and Gaul and expended the Roman dominion in Britannia further to the north. Vespasian was generous with giving Roman citizenship and Latin authorities to the inhabitants of the provinces.