VESPASIAN. ROME, after the death of Augustus, a prey to cruel and disgraceful tyrants, alternately raised to the throne, and taken from it by murder, was desirous of the quiet government of a virtuous prince. Vespasian, on being elevated to the empire, secured the peace and happiness of Rome. He even maintained its future tranquillity by the wisdom of his edicts; and by making the will of the monarch subservient to the laws; dissipated the fears of the citizens, who had been accustomed for such a length of time to consider a new emperor as a new tyrant. The family of Vespasian was not illustrious. His father, Flavius Petronius, filled the office of receiver of the taxes, in Asia. Vespasian was born at Reate, in the country of the Sabines, five years before the death of Augustus. Accustomed to arins, he made his first campaign in Thrace. Narcissus, the favourite of Nero, afterwards appointed him to the command of a legion, destined to act against Great Britain. In that island; Vespasian greatly distinguished himself, and compelled a large portion of the warlike inhabitants to submit to the Roman arms. The consulship was the recompence of these exploits. Upon the expiration of that office, he lived in retirement, being apprehensive of Agrippina, who was in enmity with the friends of Narcissus. The displeasure of Nero, which he incurred by falling asleep while that emperor recited some verses, of which he was the author, gave him fresh subject of alarm. The revolt in Judæa softened his resentment, and induced him to turn his eyes upon Vespasian, in order to crush the rebellion. Nero was desirous of employing a general of no birth, but extraordinary talents. Vespasian was accordingly called from his retreat, and placed at the head of the army. The Jews, conquered and pursued, surrendered to the most skilful of the Roman officers. Ambition encreases with honours, and developes itself according to circumstances. Nero, Galba, Otho, and Vitellius, having severally disputed the empire, Vespasian himself conceived a hope of attaining it. The assistance of Mucianus and the watchfulness of Vologesus, king of the Parthians, secured to him the election. The governor of Egypt, and the army saluted him as emperor, in the year 69 of J. C. He went to Rome, where his fame had already preceded him. Under his reign, the power and glory of the empire were carried to a high degree. Caria, Lycia, Achaia, Rhodes, Byzantium, Samos, Thrace, Cilicia, and other countries were reduced to Roman provinces. But the wisdom of Vespasian was equal to his ambition. He corrected the abuses of former governors, repressed the licentiousness of the troops, restored justice, purified the senate, and enacted severe laws against usurers and extortioners. Vespasian likewise evinced his liberality to men of talents. Apollinaris, a tragic writer, Diodorus and Terpnus, experienced particular proofs of his bounty. The frontier towns were fortified, the cities in the interior embellished, a temple in honour of peace, and a new amphitheatre, added to the magnificence of Rome. But Vespasian was peculiarly distinguished from his predecessors by his clemency; this was evinced in the case of Metius Pomposianus; he was pointed out to the emperor as a man who aspired to the empire. I will make him consul, said Vespasian, in order that if he be raised to the throne he may recollect I was serviceable to him. His reply to a young nobleman who presented himself before him, to return thanks for an appointment, highly perfumed and covered with ointment, is well known. His affection for his people induced him to reject an invention of a mathematician, who offered to transport, at a small expence, some immense columns. He however, rewarded his ingenuity, saying, "I approve your discovery, without wishing to profit by it;—let me find employment for the poor." Such was his magnanimity, that he was never offended at truth, however obnoxious it might be to selflove. Never, says Suetonius, did he consider the independent spirit of philosophy, as a crime. He did not even punish the sarcasm of a slave to whom he had gratuitously given his freedom, and who said to him with some petulance, "the fox changes his hair, but not his character," in allusion to the avarice for which Vespasian was in general accused. His avarice, however, for which history reproaches him, will appear to have had its foundation in economy, when it is recollected that upon his elevation to the throne, the public treasure was more than eight millions in debt. Vespasian died at Reate, the place of his birth. Until his last moment he continued to occupy himself on public affairs, and replied to those who advised him to seek repose, "It is proper an Emperor should die standing." He expired on the 24th of June, in the 79th year of J. C. and the 69th of his age, leaving behind two sons of very different character, Titus and Domitian. |