Titus

Family: Flavian · Role: son · First appears: Vespasian 3

Titus was born near the Septizonium on 30 December, in a small, dark house. He was the son of Vespasian and Flavia Domitilla, alongside Domitian and Domitilla. As a boy, he was close to Britannicus and was believed to have tasted the fatal potion that killed him, contracting a long illness; later, Titus honored him with a golden statue in the Palatium and an ivory equestrian statue.

As a military tribune, Titus served with distinction in Germany and Britain. He married Arricidia, and after her death married Marcia Furnilla, whom he later divorced, taking their daughter, Julia, from her. He went on to command a legion, capture Tarichaea and Gamala in Judaea, and take Jerusalem; his soldiers acclaimed him Emperor and tried to keep him from leaving the province. From then on, he acted as Vespasian’s colleague and regent, commanded the praetorian guards, and ordered A. Caecina stabbed after discovering his account of a soldiers’ plot, an act that brought him public hatred.

Titus received a reported promise of marriage from Berenice, but later sent her away from the city despite their mutual reluctance. As emperor, he confirmed earlier grants, directed aid and reconstruction after the eruption of Vesuvius and fires in Rome, punished informers, and accepted the office of Pontifex Maximus while keeping his promise not to cause anyone’s death. He retained Domitian at court, declared him his partner and successor, and begged him “to return the affection he had for him.” Titus died an untimely death in the same villa where Vespasian had died, and the Senate honored him after his death with unprecedented thanks and praise.