Titus Flashcards
What powers did Titus have under the reign of Vespasian?
- Censor in AD 73 - 74
- Shared tribunician power with Vespasian
- Held 7 consulships
Why was his relationship with the Equites shakey?
According to Suetonius, he was appointed Praetorian Prefect and acquired a reputation for being cruel, extravagant, lustful and accepting of bribes.
What does Suetonius say about his popularity in general before his reign?
Suetonius, Titus 1: “…he had been not only unpopular but venomously loathed”.
What does the Sestertius of Titus show?
Minted AD 72, it shows Titus on a platform “gives a first handout to the Roman people”, making Titus out to be an integral part to running the city and empire.
What was the Revolt of Judea?
THE major campaign of Vespasian and Titus when they suppressed the revolt in Judea that started in AD 66 and ended in AD 70.
What does Dio say about how Titus initially tried to deal with the Revolt of Judea?
Dio, Roman History 66.3: Titus first attempted diplomacy to resolve the situation “but was proved unsuccessful, he reverted to military action”.
What year was the Fire of the Great Temple and who does Josephus blame?
AD 70
In Jewish war, he claims that the temple guards were responsible.
In Jewish Antiquities, written in AD 93/94, he claims it was Titus who started the fire.
What were the consequences of the Fire of the Great Temple?
60 000 Jewish people were killed (Tacitus) and Vespasian initiated the Jewish Temple Tax of 2 drachmas every year to fund the rebuilding and upkeep of the Capitoline Temple.
What does Dio say about Titus’ two year reign?
Dio: Titus’ reign didn’t extend beyond a “honeymoon-period” and suggests that he would not have been loved if he had ruled longer.
What were the two big events that happened in Titus’ reign?
AD 79: The eruption of Vesuvius
AD 80: The fire in Rome
What was Titus’ relationship like with the Senate before his reign?
Not very good. He murdered a former consul by inviting him to dinner and having him stabbed on the way out.
What was Titus’ relationship like with the Senate during his reign?
Decent. It seems that they appreciated him more after he died than when he was alive.
What does Suetonius say about Titus’ relationship with the Senate during his reign?
Suetonius, Titus 11: When Titus died. “Senators hurried to the Senate House without waiting for an official summons”
Suetonius, Titus 11: Senators spoke of him “…with greater thankfulness and praise than they had ever used while he was alive”
What does Suetonius say about Titus’ relationship with the plebs before his reign?
Shows he was very unpopular.
Suetonius, Titus 6: “..made Titus so deeply disliked”
Suetonius, Titus 7: “It was even prophesied quite openly that he would prove to be a second Nero”
What does Suetonius say about Titus’ relationship with the plebs after his reign?
When people realised Titus was actually an exceptionally noble character, “public opinion flew to the opposite extreme”.
