A highly regarded military commander, Vespasian became emperor in 69 A.D., at the grand old age of 60. He became the fourth emperor that year, following a power struggle and a civil war to succeed Emperor Nero. Despite his tumultuous ascent to the throne, Vespasian was known for his success in rebuilding the Roman Empire following years of war and strife under Nero. His reign is remembered as a time of peace and tranquility. In 72 A.D., Vespasian started the construction of the Flavian Amphitheater, later dubbed the Colosseum. The building was inaugurated by Titus in A.D. 80, a year after his father's death, with games that lasted 100 days. According to the historian Suetonius, Vespasian was in his summer villa in the mountains near Rieti when he died. "He injured his bowels by too free use of the cold waters," Suetonius wrote in his De Vita Caesarum (The Life of the Caesars), a set of twelve imperial biographies from Julius Caesar to Domitian. "At last, being taken ill of a diarrhea, to such a degree that he was ready to faint, he cried out, 'An emperor ought to die standing upright.' In endeavoring to rise, he died in the hands of those who were helping him up," Suetonius wrote. Related Links: Rossella Lorenzi's Blog: Archaeorama Get More NewsSpiders, Scorpions Among World's Oldest CreaturesMany creepy crawlies have been on Earth much longer than previously believed.Blood-Sucking Vampire Bats Sing DuetsWhite-winged vampire bats "harmonize" with separated roost mates.Oldest Hebrew Writing Possibly FoundAncient inscriptions on a 3,000-year-old pottery shard could make history.Rare, Prehistoric-Age Reptile Found in N.Z.A tuatara has been spotted on the New Zealand mainland for the first time in 200 years.Iceman Has No Living RelativesOetzi, the 5,300 year-old frozen mummy, left no living genetic legacy.SLIDE SHOW: Landscapes of TerrorWhat makes a place feel scary? There are scientific explanations.It's Official: People Are Warming the PolesHumans are conclusively to blame for polar warming, say scientists.Eight-Armed Animal Preceded DinosaursWhat may be one of Earth's first animals was no bigger than a coaster and had eight arms.Phoenicians Live on in People's GenesOne in 17 Mediterranean men may be descended from ancient Phoenicians.Pesticides, Fertilizers Linked to Frog DeclineA pesticide is found to promote parasites among amphibians.Hubble Telescope Taking Photos AgainThe Hubble Space Telescope is once again snapping stunning photos of the universe.Andean Mummy Hairs Show Hallucinogen UseScientists find direct evidence of hallucinogenic drug use among ancient Andeans.Opals on Mars Reveal Planet's Long Wet PastOpals found on Mars suggest the planet has been wet for much longer. |
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