Titus

Titus Flavius Vespasianus (30 December AD 39 – 13 September 81) was Roman emperor from AD 79 to 81. A member of the Flavian dynasty, Titus succeeded his father, Vespasian, upon his death, becoming the first Roman emperor to succeed his biological father.

Before becoming emperor, Titus gained renown as a military commander, serving under his father in Judaea during the First Jewish–Roman War. The campaign came to a brief halt with the death of emperor Nero in AD 68, launching Vespasian's bid for the throne during the Year of the Four Emperors. When Vespasian was declared Emperor on 1 July 69, Titus was left in charge of ending the Jewish rebellion. In AD 70, he besieged and captured Jerusalem, during which he destroyed the city and the Second Temple. For this, he was awarded a triumph; the Arch of Titus—still standing today—was later erected to commemorate the victory.

During his father's rule, Titus gained notoriety in Rome serving as prefect of the Praetorian Guard and for carrying on a controversial relationship with the Jewish queen Berenice. He ruled to great acclaim following the death of Vespasian on 23 June 79 and was considered a good emperor by Suetonius and other contemporary historians.

As emperor, Titus is best known for completing the Colosseum and for his generosity in relieving the suffering caused by two disasters, the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79 and a fire in Rome in AD 80. After barely two years in office, Titus died of a fever on 13 September 81. He was deified by the Roman Senate and succeeded by his younger brother Domitian.