Obverse: IMP. CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG. TR. P.
Laureate head to the right.
Reverse: TITVS ET DOMITIAN CAESARES PRIN. IV.
Titus and Domitian seated left.
Despite his humble origins, Vespasian’s military
skill carried him to a series of important posts
and he commanded part of the forces that
invaded Britain under Claudius. In 67 AD Nero
appointed him to quell the Jewish rebellion and
he prosecuted the war successfully during the
troubled period following Nero’s death. On July
1st 69 AD, the legions at Alexandria proclaimed
him emperor and the Danubian legions followed
suit and invaded Italy, defeating the forces of
Vitellius at the Battle of Cremona. Vespasian
reached Rome in 70 AD and quickly set about
repairing the damage caused by the civil wars.
He proved to be a just and industrious ruler and
the condition of the state soon improved. After
his death in 79 AD he was deified by the Senate.
