Extract

Titus Flavius Vespasianus, emperor 69–79 ce, was born on 9 November, 9 ce, at Sabine *Reate. His father, Flavius Sabinus (for his elder brother of the same name see flavius sabinus), was a tax-gatherer; his mother also was of equestrian family, but her brother entered the senate, reaching the praetorship. Vespasian was military tribune (see tribuni militum) in 27, serving in Thrace, quaestor in Crete in the mid-30s, aedile (at the second attempt) in 38, and praetor in 40. Claudius' freedman *Narcissus (2) now advanced his undistinguished career, and he became legate of legio II Augusta (see legion) at *Argentorate, commanding it in the invasion of *Britain in 43 and subduing the south-west as far as Exeter (43–7); for this he won triumphal ornaments (see ornamenta) and two priesthoods (see priests (greek and roman)).