Introduction | Early years | Climbing the greasy pole
Military commander | Desperate straits | The Judaean adventure
The year of the four emperors | The new dynasty | Find out more

Military commander

A new patron and a new emperor
It was during his time in Rome that Vespasian married and his son Titus was born. Little could he have realised what an asset his son would become. In the meantime, he acquired another asset, a patron, and from a highly improbable source.

At first sight, the Roman empire appeared to be run by the emperor – omnipotent, powerful – and aristocrats, the people to whom the emperor delegated power. But aristocrats were the emperor's rivals. So he created an alternative system for executing commands, using palace slaves or ex-slaves. These executives of the emperor exercised power that equalled – and undermined – the power of the aristocratic senators.

Vespasian's patron was just such a slave, Narcissus – not a slave of the emperor, but of Claudius, the emperor's uncle. Narcissus's influence landed Vespasian the job of his dreams: praetor (commander) of his own legion – the II Augusta, stationed in Germany.

And then it got better. Caligula was murdered by the Praetorian Guard and Claudius was the new emperor. What's more, Vespasian learned that he was to play a part in one of the emperor's personal ambitions.

The invasion of Britain
Claudius – a slobbering fool or sly and devious, depending on your source – needed military glory to establish his authority. He decided on an expedition to Britain, where he could maintain himself in the background, lead from Calais, win glory, say that he'd conquered Britain, and report his victory to Rome. So it was a politically dictated military adventure.

For somebody like Vespasian, this was the chance of a lifetime. There were then only 27 legionary commanders in the Roman army, and Vespasian was one of the lucky four who has been picked for this expedition (that number also included his older brother Sabinus). This was a chance for him to show off his military talents.

The invasion hit one serious snag: Rome's redoubtable soldiers trembled at the sight of the sea and steadfastly refused to leave the beaches of France. In AD 43, after months of persuasion and, possibly, bribery, the commanders were able to go ahead. As luck would have it, their hesitancy had given them an unexpected advantage. The Roman delays had persuaded the Britons that the invasion had been cancelled and they had dispersed.

First military engagement
The main landing place was at Richborough, on the Kent coast. After some minor initial fighting, the Romans made steady progress until they reached the river Medway. Here Vespasian and his brother finally encountered fierce resistance.

The Britons had thought that the Romans would not be able to get across the river. But the Romans were equipped perfectly for a battle of this sort. Alongside the regular legions was a Dutch amphibious assault troop – men who could swim with their horses, in full armour if necessary.

While Vespasian confronted the Britons, his amphibious troops crossed the river downstream and began to encircle the enemy. With masterly timing, he launched simultaneous attacks from front and rear. His first enemy engagement as a praetor was a major success.

The next obstacle to overcome was the river Thames at what would become London, and then on to Camulodunum (Colchester). After entering this tribal capital in a triumphal procession that included elephants, Claudius met tribal chiefs during a flying 16-day visit.

The born soldier
Vespasian was given the task of clearing all of the territory facing the coast of Gaul and securing safe harbours for future waves of Roman invasion (and commerce). His move through heavily fortified and savagely defended terrain led to the destruction of about 20 massive hill forts, including Maiden Castle and Hod Hill, taking command of the high ground of Essex, Berkshire, Hampshire, Dorset and Devon. It culminated in securing the Isle of Wight.

According to the Roman historian Tacitus:

Vespasian was a born soldier: marching at the head of his men, choosing where they should camp, harrying the enemy day and night by his leadership and, where necessary, by personal combat; content with whatever was going in the way of food and dressing much like a private soldier.

The British adventure had been a spectacular success, precisely what Claudius needed. Vespasian's part in it had been heroic. On his return to Rome, he was decorated and was awarded a couple of priesthoods. This was quite beyond what a man of his rank might expect. He was on his way ... or was he? The Roman sword, Vespasian would discover, is double-edged.

Military adventures, if they are successful, are always going to be someone's career opportunity. Vespasian is said to have participated in 30 battles, which must have added to his prestige. The difficulty about prestige in the Roman army was that, if you got too big for your boots, you were seen by the emperor as a potential rival. From the emperor's point of view, after someone you had promoted became a success, you had to leave him in the wilderness for 5-10 years or more before giving him the next plum job.

Vespasian would spend more than a decade in the wilderness. His patron Narcissus couldn't help. In AD 48, the emperor Claudius had married Agrippina, Caligula's sister. She disliked Narcissus. So Narcissus was out, and so was Vespasian.

Top