I. The Year of the Four Emperors (AD 68-69)
A.
Servius Sulpicius Galba (June 68- January 69)
Revolts
across the Empire:Nero's suicide
Galba
Bribes Praetorians
B.
M. Salvius Otho (January 69 - April
69)
Non
aristocrat:supported by praetorians
C.
Aulus Vitellius (January 69 - December 69)
Promoted
by German legions (not Praetorians)
Defeatof
Otho's forces at First Battle of Cremona
Vitellius
the slug
D.
Lessons
1. "Secret of Empire":emperors can be promoted elsewhere
than Rome (Tac Hist. 1.4)
2. Non-nobles can become emperor
II. Vespasian
= T. Flavius Vespasianus (AD 69-79)
A.
Accession
-Promoted by legions of Egypt, Syria, Danube = Armies,
not Senate create emperors
-Second
Battle of Cremona >>> “Sack of Rome”
-Lex
de imperio Vespasiani (Decree of Imperial Authority for Vespasian):powers
granted en bloc
B. Background:equestrian (non-senatorial); administrative and military experience
C.
Revolts
-Civilis
and the Batavi:Creation of German State
-Judaea:Jerusalem Falls (AD 70) and Temple Destroyed;
Triumph (Arch
of Titus); Masada Falls (AD 73: Ben
Yair)
D.
Reforms
-Army:Auxiliaries; conscription in Gaul and Spain
-Provinces:Municipalization; Uses Censorship (AD 73)
to add Gauls / Spaniards to Senate
-Territorial Expansion:Adds Agri Decumates (Rhine
/ Danube); northern Britain; Judaea, Commagene; Cappadocia
III. Titus = T. Flavius Vespasianus (AD 79-81)
A.
Ideal Emperor:“my friends, I have wasted a day”
B.
Disasters:1. Vesuvius (AD 79: Pompeii);
2. Plague in Campania; 3. Fire in Rome (AD 80)
IV. Domitian
= T. Flavius Domitianus (AD 81-96)
A.
Benefactions to populace
-congiaria
(money distributions); spectacles
-Building projects: Stadium;
Colosseum
B.
Military Conflicts
-Chatti
(Germans:AD 89):L. Antonius Saturninus
-Dacia (Modern Romania:AD 85-93):Decebalus defeats
Domitian in 89
D.
Offenses and Murder
-Offends
Senate:Dominate Consulship (17 times)
-Dominus
et deus (lord and god)
-Murder and condemnation (damnatio memoriae =
condemnation from memory)
