v08_0183 - TITUS Dupondius, (MB, Æ 28)

TITUS

(1/07/69-13/09/81)

Augustus

Titus, born December 30, 39, is the eldest son of Vespasian. He followed his father to Judea where he is legate of the XV Apollinaris legion. After the proclamation of Alexandria, Vespasian leaves it to him to complete the pacification of Judea during which he falls in love with Bérénice (cf. Racine's play). After the capture of Jerusalem in the summer of 70, he celebrated the Triumph with his father in January 71. Associated with power by his father, he succeeded him on June 24, 79, having broken with the beautiful Jewish princess in 75. His reign n t was only a series of catastrophes, the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 which destroyed Pompeii and Herculaneum, then the fire of Rome in 80. He died in 81, perhaps assassinated at the instigation of his brother, Domitian ( Suetonius). It is described as "the delight of mankind".