Roman Empire, Titus as Caesar, AE 21

Roman Empire, Titus as Caesar, 69-79, AE 21

Judea, city Caeserea Judaea Capta coinage. Belorb. Bust r.
Rev.: Nike writing on shield

Historical

Titus (*39; † 81)  / Caesar 69-79 / Augustus 79-81

Titus was the son of the emperor Vespasian. He supported his father in all his undertakings. He especially helped in the conquest of Jerusalem in 70 and the very bloody defeat of the Jewish people in Judaea.

On one of the most famous monumental buildings of that time, the so-called Arch of Titus in Rome, the conquest is presented pictorially and shows the removal of the huge temple treasure that fell into the hands of the Romans. The Flavians financed their building activities in Rome from the spoils of war, and Titus himself had the Colosseum completed.

During his reign of little more than two years, he continued the policy of his father Vespasian. Titus was praised by ancient historians as an ideal ruler. In addition to the exceptionally good relationship between the Senate and the Emperor, which set him diametrically apart from his successor Domitian, Titus' benevolence was also decisive for this favourable image. After Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79, he initiated relief measures, as he did the following year after a fire in the city of Rome.

Modern research discusses in particular his role in the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple.