TITUS (Titus Flavius Sabinus Vespasianus)
- Titus was born at Rome, 30th December 39 A.D.
- His father Vespasian commanded the Second Legion 'Augusta' under Claudius in the conquest of Britain in 43-47.
- Having completed his education, Titus embarked on a senatorial career, beginning as military tribune in Germany and Britain in 6l-63.
- He became a close friend of Claudius's son Britannicus, and remained so until the latter was poisoned by Nero, nearly dying himself in the process.
- 66-70 A.D., he was commander of the Fifteenth Legion 'Apollonaris', serving under his father in the Jewish War.
- When Vespasian was proclaimed emperor on 1st July 69, Titus became Caesar.
- While Vespasian returned to Rome, Titus remained to prosecute the Jewish War, finally capturing Jerusalem, after a lengthy siege, in September 70.
- Titus returned to Rome in June 71.
- He was regarded as callous and cruel. Titus's affair with Queen Berenice, a member of the Judaean royal family was considered an outrage by the populous.
- When Titus succeeded his father on 24 June 79 many were convinced he would become another Nero, but instead became one of Rome's best rulers.
- On 24 August 79, the towns of Pompeii and Herculaneum were destroyed out by the eruption of Vesuvius. Titus poured relief into the devastated area.
- The only major military operations were in Britain, where the conquest of Scotland proceeded.
- While summering in the Sabine hill-country in 81, Titus was struck down by a fever and died 13 September, to be succeeded by his brother, Domitian.