On December 21st 69 the coronation of Titus Flavius Vespasianus took place. He was the first Roman Emperor to ascend the throne in relative peace following the demise of the Julio-Claudian Dynasty and the disastrous reign of Nero. The year 69 AD was known in Roman history as the year of the Four Emperors. Nero’s forced suicide in 68 was followed by a quick succession of incompetent Emperors, from Galba to Otho, Vitellus before the Roman commander Vespasian claimed the throne, marking the final end of the Julio-Claudian Dynasty, and the beginning of the Flavian dynasty.

Like Julius Caesar, Augustus and a number of Julio-Claudian Emperors, Vespasian had a long and esteemed military career, most notably for his contribution to brokering peace during the Great Jewish Revolt. With two legions, Vespasian managed to coerce peace in Syria, when there was growing unrest in the Middle…