Titus Flavius ​​Vespasianus

Roman Emperor (reigned 79-81). He was the eldest son of Emperor Vespasian, and his brother, Emperor Domitian, was 12 years younger than him. After serving as a high-ranking officer in the military, he accompanied his father in the Jewish War. During the civil war following the death of Emperor Nero, he assisted his father in active military activities. In 70, he occupied Jerusalem and was welcomed as the supreme commander, after which he was named his father's successor. He also assisted his father in governing as the head of the Praetorian Guard, but his reputation was not good due to his ruthlessness in suppressing rebellions and his affairs with mistresses. However, after the death of his father, he was praised by the people for his generous behavior toward the people, and his efforts in relief efforts during the eruption of Mount Vesuvius, the epidemic, and the great fire of Rome, and a generation later, despite his short reign, he was praised as the "favorite of mankind." The Colosseum in Rome was completed during his reign.

[Ryoji Motomura]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

ローマ皇帝（在位79～81）。ウェスパシアヌス帝の長男で、12歳年下の弟にドミティアヌス帝がいる。高級将校としての軍務ののちに、父に同伴してユダヤ戦争に参加した。ネロ帝死後の内乱時に、父を助けて積極的な軍事活動を行った。70年、エルサレムを占拠し、最高司令官として迎えられたのち、父帝の後継者に指名された。親衛隊長官としても父帝の統治を助けたが、反乱鎮圧の無慈悲さや愛人問題のために世評は芳ばしくなかった。しかし、父帝の死後は、民衆に対する寛大なふるまい、またベスビオ火山の噴火、疫病の流行やローマ市大火の際の救済活動への尽力などのために、人々の称賛を浴びて、短い治世にもかかわらず、一世代後には「人類の寵児(ちょうじ)」とたたえられた。彼の治世下ローマのコロセウムが完成した。

［本村凌二］

出典　小学館　日本大百科全書(ニッポニカ)日本大百科全書(ニッポニカ)について　情報 | 凡例