December 20: Vespasian became emperor of the Roman Empire on December 20th, from the year 69 until his death in 96; his imperial name in Latin was Imperator Caesar Augustus Titus Flavius Vespasianus.

Vespasianus. Plaster cast in Pushkin museum after original in Louvre. Cropped and color adjusted version of original image. 

Titus Flavius ​​Sabinus Vespasianus was better Known as Vespasian was the founder of the Flavian dynasty, which ruled the Roman Empire from the year 69 to year 96. He was succeeded by his sons Titus and Domitian.

map of the Roman Empire during the Year of the Four Emperors (69). Blue areas indicate provinces loyal to Vespasian and Gaius Licinius Mucianus.

Vespasian descended from a family “ordo equester” that had reached senatorial rank during the reigns of the emperors of the Julio-Claudian dynasty.

n aureus depicting Vespasian as Emperor. The reverse shows the goddess Fortuna.

Vespasian was appointed consul in 51, and won renown as a military commander, highlighting the Roman invasion of Britain, year 43, commanding the Legio II Augusta.

ction of the Flavian Amphitheatre, better known as the Colosseum, was begun by Vespasian and finished by his son Titus.

He commanded the Roman forces who faced the rebellion of the Jews in the year 66 when he was about to besiege Jerusalem, the rebel capital, Emperor Nero committed suicide, plunging the Empire in a year of civil war known as the Year of the Four Emperors .

After the rapid succession and death of Otto Galbay and the rise to power of Vitellius the armies of Egypt and the provinces of Judea proclaimed Emperor Vespasian on July 69.

On his way to the imperial throne, Vespasian was allied with the governor of Syria Mucianus, who led the troops of Vespasian against Vitellius, while Vespasian himself took control of Egypt.

On 20 December, Vitellius was defeated and the next day Vespasian was proclaimed emperor by the Senate.