Flavius Sabinus

Also known as: Sabinus · Family: Vespasian · Role: prefect of the city · First appears: Histories I.46-49

Flavius Sabinus, prefect of the city and a supporter of Vespasian, had previously held the same post under Nero, whose choice was followed when he was appointed again. He was Vespasian’s brother and, with Caelius, became consul for June and July. Before long, Otho sent the consul-elect to command Macer’s force; later, fear—heightened by Triaria—led him to hasten Dolabella’s ruin, though he was not himself in danger. It was also often believed that he used Rubrius Gallus as an agent to tamper with Caecina’s loyalty on Vespasian’s behalf.

During the conflict between Vitellius and Vespasian, Sabinus reportedly reached a settlement with Vitellius at the Temple of Apollo, while suspicions persisted that he and Vespasian were openly friendly but secretly at odds. When rumours of Vitellius’s abdication spread, Sabinus instructed the Guards’ officers to control their men, but Vitellian troops defeated his Body Guard near the Fundane reservoir. He occupied the Capitol with his supporters, summoned his children and his nephew Domitian, and sent Cornelius Martialis to complain that the agreement was being violated. As the Vitellians attacked, he organized the defence by building a barricade from statues, but “the Capitol, with its doors fast shut, undefended and unplundered, was burnt to the ground.”

Sabinus was captured with Quintius Atticus and brought before Vitellius. Although Vitellius came out prepared to plead for him, the mob forced him to desist; Sabinus was stabbed, decapitated, and dragged away. Antonius Primus had reportedly arranged possible escape and safe conduct for Sabinus and Domitian, while Mucianus was said to welcome Sabinus’s death as ending the rivalry between Vespasian’s brother and his supposed partner in empire. Later, Domitian carried a proposal cancelling the consulships granted by Vitellius and providing a state funeral in Sabinus’s honour.