Introduction

Vespasian and the Flavian Dynasty

In this course Dr Matthew Nicholls (University of Oxford) explores the reign of Vespasian and his sons, Titus and Domitian. After a brief introductory lecture, we begin by thinking about the use of image-making and propaganda by Galba, Otho, Vitellius and Vespasian in the Year of the Four Emperors. After that, in the third lecture, we think about the nature of Flavian rule – how similar or different was it from what had gone before? – before turning in the fourth lecture to consider the reigns of Vespasian’s sons, Titus and Domitian. In the final three lectures, we turn to Flavian architecture, looking first as the Colosseum, then at the Templum Pacis (or Forum of Vespasian), and then to the building works undertaken during the reigns of Vespasian’s son, Titus and Domitian, including the Forum Transitorium and the Arch of Domitian.

Introduction

In this lecture we provide a short introduction to Vespasian and the Flavian Dynasty, and outline some of the themes that will be covered in the rest of the course: (i) the establishment of the Flavian Dynasty; (ii) the nature of the principate; (iii) the personalities of Vespasian, Titus and Domitian; (iv) propaganda and image-making; and (v) religion.