Titus (39 AD – 81 AD) – The tenth emperor of Rome, who ruled from 79 AD until his death in 81 AD. full history in 3000 words

Titus Flavius Vespasianus, commonly known as Titus, was the tenth emperor of Rome, who ruled from 79 AD until his untimely death in 81 AD. Titus was born on December 30th, 39 AD, in Rome, to Vespasian and Domitilla the Elder. He had one younger brother, Domitian, who would later become the emperor of Rome after him. Titus was a popular emperor who ruled during a time of peace and prosperity, and his reign is remembered for his successes in military campaigns, the completion of the Colosseum, and his efforts to improve the lives of the people of Rome.

Early Life and Career:

Titus was born into a family of moderate means but with significant military connections. His father, Vespasian, was a successful general who had served in Judea and had become a respected member of the Roman Senate. Titus grew up in Rome and was educated in the Greek and Latin languages, literature, and philosophy. He was trained in the art of war by his father and participated in several military campaigns alongside him, including the siege of Jerusalem in 70 AD.

After his father became the emperor of Rome in 69 AD, Titus was appointed as a military commander and was sent to suppress the revolt in Judaea. In 70 AD, he succeeded in capturing Jerusalem, and the event is commemorated in the Arch of Titus, which was built in Rome to celebrate his victory. Following his success in Judaea, Titus was appointed as the governor of the province of Africa, where he continued to display his military prowess.

Succession to the Throne:

When Vespasian died in 79 AD, Titus succeeded him as the emperor of Rome. He was popular among the people of Rome, who saw him as a strong and competent leader, and his reign began with great promise. One of the first acts of his reign was to repeal some of the oppressive laws passed by his predecessor, which had been causing hardship to the people of Rome.

Titus also proved to be a great administrator and implemented several reforms to improve the lives of the citizens. He established an efficient system of taxation, reduced the number of court cases, and reorganized the municipal government of Rome. These reforms helped to bring about a period of peace and stability, and the people of Rome enjoyed a period of prosperity under his reign.

Military Campaigns:

Titus was also successful in military campaigns during his reign. In 79 AD, he launched a campaign against the Dacians, a tribe living in what is now Romania, and managed to defeat them. He also sent troops to Britain to suppress a rebellion, which he succeeded in doing. However, the success was short-lived as he had to withdraw his forces due to an eruption of Mount Vesuvius, which devastated the area around Naples.

One of the greatest achievements of Titus was the completion of the Flavian Amphitheatre, which is now known as the Colosseum. The construction of the Colosseum had begun under his father, Vespasian, but it was Titus who completed it in 80 AD. The Colosseum was used for gladiatorial contests, public spectacles, and other entertainment events, and it remains one of the most famous and recognizable landmarks in Rome.

Death and Legacy:

Unfortunately, Titus' reign was cut short by his sudden death in 81 AD. He was only 41 years old and died of a fever, which may have been caused by a plague that was sweeping through Rome at the time. His death was a great loss to the people of Rome, who had grown to love and admire him for his strong leadership and commitment to improving their