Roman Emperor: Life and Reign of Titus Quiz

Answer: Domitilla the Elder

Also known as Flavia Domitilla Major, Domitilla the Elder was born in Sabratha, which is now part of the Zawiya District of Libya. Her birth year is unclear. Her family were colonists who had moved there during the reign of Emperor Augustus, and her father was Flavius Liberalis, a man from Ferentium (now part of Italy's Lazio region).

She married Vespasian in around 38 AD. It is recorded that she died either in 69 AD, or before that - before Vespasian became emperor.

Answer: True

Titus's father's nickname during his political career was the "Muleteer" because of his origins. Vespasian's family hailed from the Sabine country of Italy, and he had worked his way up through ranks of the Roman military. Vespasian earned the titles of quaestor, aedile, and praetor, before becoming Roman Emperor in 69 AD. This was a stark contrast to his humble beginnings, being born in the ancient Roman town of Falacrinae, north-east of Rome.

Vespasian came by his nickname of "Muleteer" from his time in Africa. He had worked his way up from the military and had been sent to North Africa as a consul. He found himself in financial trouble during his stay however, and had no choice but to mortgage his property. He turned to the mule trade for money, hence his nickname "Muleteer."

Titus was born in Rome in 39 AD, during the reign of Caligula. He was Vespasian's oldest son.

Answer: Titus Flavius Petro

The small amount that is known of the life of Titus Flavius Petro comes from Roman historian Suetonius, who describes Petro's family as obscure. The Flavia family in ancient Rome seemed to rise within four generations, attaining power and wealth during the reign of the Julio-Claudian dynasty.

Petro's military career ended dishonorably, as in the Battle of Pharsalus in 48 BC, when he ended up fleeing for his life. However, he acquired status from marrying the wealthy Tertulla. Tertulla's connections certainly helped in the rise of her son, Titus Flavius Sabinus, who was Titus' grandfather.

Answer: 70 AD

The siege of Jerusalem was a crucial event in the First Jewish-Roman War. Titus led the Roman army as they ransacked the city and destroyed the temple. Jerusalem has been under control of the Judean rebels since 66 AD, up until this point.

The siege of Jerusalem began on April 14th (three days before the Passover of that year) and lasted for approximately five months. Titus was almost captured at one point when he attempted to negotiate via a messenger, but escaped.

Destroying the temple was not part of Titus' plan. He had wanted to use it instead for dedication to the Roman pantheon and Emperor. But during the attack, a fire got out of control and destroyed it instead. Jewish historian Josephus (who was there) absolves Titus completely of the destruction of the temple. However, he could at the time have wanted to gain favour from the Roman Empire.

Answer: Galba

Emperor Nero committed suicide after being sentenced to death by his own Senate. Galba was declared Emperor of Rome. Born into a rich family, Galba was a consul, praetor, and governor before he became emperor. He was physically frail, suffering from arthritis (to the point where he was even unable to wear shoes), and generally indifferent. This was why he was selected above other favourites for the post of Roman emperor, because this meant he could be easily manipulated.

Vespasian sent his son to greet the new emperor, but before Titus could reach Rome, Galba was murdered. Otho was then made Roman Emperor, after having Galba murdered by the Praetorian Guard with promises of donations. Otho would later commit suicide after losing in battle. Some historians say he was afraid to fight. Some say he did not want Rome to descend into civil war.

Answer: Vitellius

Vitellius defeated Otho in battle and took his place as Roman Emperor after Otho committed suicide. Vitellius was Roman Emperor for about 8 months, being defeated at the Second Battle of Bedriacum by Vespasian's forces. He abdicated, but his supporters refused to allow him to carry out his abdication, and was later executed.

According to Tacitus, Vitellius was dragged from a hiding place, marched to the Gemonian Stairs (a notorious execution spot for Ancient Rome), and executed by Vespasian's supporters. His last words were reportedly "Yet I was once your Emperor."

Suetonius states that his body was thrown in the Tiber afterwards. Cassius Dio states that he was beheaded with his head being paraded around Rome.

This put an end to what has been coined "The Year of the Four Emperors" and set Titus up as heir to Rome, with his father as Emperor.

Answer: Berenice

Daughter of King Herod Agrippa I, Berenice of Cilicia was part of the Herodian Dynasty, which ruled the Roman province of Judaea between 39 BC - 92 AD. What little details we can find of accounts of her life come from Josephus, who also wrote accounts of the Jewish rebellions and Siege of Jerusalem. In the Hebrew Bible she is mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles (25:13, 23; 26:30). Suetonius, Tacitus, and Cassius Dio also mention her in their works.

In her lifetime, Berenice was subject to rumour and scandal regarding an alleged incestuous relationship with her brother. Such behaviour was unacceptable in Jewish culture. Berenice and her brother fled to Galilee when their house had been burned down and the city was in battle. There she met Titus, who was ten years younger than she was. They were quickly drawn to each other.

Titus promised to marry Berenice and took her to Rome after the destruction of Jerusalem. The Roman citizens were outraged. Her Jewish origin, alleged incestuous relationship with her brother, her age, and rumours that she had killed her several previous husbands, all alarmed Roman society when they learned of Titus' involvement with her. She was seen as a deviant, calculating queen from the Far East, who, in their minds, had probably cast a spell on the otherwise respected Titus. He eventually gave in to the demands that he rid himself of her upon his succession to the Roman throne in 79 AD. Two years after Titus died, Berenice of Cilicia vanished completely from historical record. It is unknown what became of her.

Answer: Stop trials based on treason

The law of treason, or "lex maiestatis" had long given Roman society problems. It was originally intended to be used against those who conspired against, or tried to overthrow the Roman Emperor. During the reigns of Tiberius, Caligula and Nero this law was abused to include anyone who had committed slander or libel against the Roman Empire as well. Many were tried and executed for saying something displeasing. Titus appeared to be a purveyor of free speech, and put an end to all this. No senators were put to death during his time as Roman Emperor. He is quoted as saying:

"It is impossible for me to be insulted or abused in any way. For I do naught that deserves censure, and I care not for what is reported falsely. As for the emperors who are dead and gone, they will avenge themselves in case anyone does them a wrong, if in very truth they are demigods and possess any power."

Answer: Eruption of Mount Vesuvius

One of the deadliest eruptions in in European history, the 79 AD eruption of Mount Vesuvius. The height of the eruption was just over 20 miles high. Several Roman cities were destroyed by falling ash and pyroclastic flow. The death toll remains unclear but 1,500 remains have been found from the disaster.

Titus is remembered for his generosity and involvement with the relief of this disaster. He showed the same generosity and charity when there was a fire in Rome in 80 AD.

Answer: Arrecina Tertulla

Not to be confused with Titus' great-great grandmother Tertulla, Arrecina Tertulla was the mother of one of Titus' daughters, Julia Flavia.

Arrecina Tertulla's family's origin is not clear, but her father was Marcus Arrecinus Clemens, who was a praetorian prefect under the reign of Caligula. Her mother was Julia Lupus. She was born around 40 AD.

Titus did not remain married to her. What happened is unclear, but they had either divorced or she had died by 63 AD, because by then Titus was married to Marcia Furnilla. They also had a daughter called Flavia. Marcia Furnilla was the aunt of future Roman Emperor, Trajan.

Titus' marriage to Marcia did not last long either. Her family had connections to Nero, who was Roman Emperor at the time. Titus did not want to be connected to anyone guilty of treason, and ended the marriage, but still continued to raise their daughter, who is thought to have died young. After this, what became of Marcia Furnilla is unknown.

Answer: Domitian

Domitian was Titus' younger brother, but when he suggested he one day marry Julia Flavia, Domitian declined. This was because he was in love with Domitia Longina, who would marry him and remain his wife throughout his reign as Roman Emperor from the time that he succeeded Titus in 81 AD, right up until he was assassinated in 96 AD.

Julia Flavia, instead, later married Titus Flavius Sabinus, who was her father Titus' cousin. Domitian would later murder Titus Flavius Sabinus for reasons which remain unclear, although some accounts state Domitian killed him out of his own desire for Julia Flavia, his niece.

Answer: Niece

Saint Flavia Domitilla's mother was Domitilla the Younger, who was Titus' younger sister. She was the only daughter Vespasian and his wife Domitilla the Elder had, and was the older sister of Domitian. It is uncertain who her father was.

She married Flavius Clemens. Domitian had him executed over a slight suspicion, and Flavia Domitila banished to an island. According to Jewish tradition, she and her husband stood up for the rights of the Jews being persecuted, hence their fate.

The Greek Orthodox Church celebrates Saint Flavia Domitilla on 12 May every year. They hold her as a martyr, who died for refusing to worship idols.

Flavia Domitilla was exiled to the island of Pandateria (which is now St. Mary's near Puzzuolo), and executed there around 96 AD.

Answer: Colosseum

Despite its age, the Colosseum remains the largest amphitheatre in the world, and is estimated to once have a capacity for 50,000 - 80,000 people. Construction was funded mainly by the looting of Jewish temples in the First Jewish-Roman War.

Vespasian established the construction of it in 72 AD, but Titus had it completed during his short reign. In 80 AD, Titus opened the Colosseum (which was called "the Flavian Amphitheater" back then) with 100 days of games, which included gladiators and animals fighting.

After Titus' death, Domitian made renovations to the Colosseum during his time as Emperor.

Titus also had the Baths of Titus constructed in 81 AD. They lay at the bottom of the Esquiline Hill, one of the Seven Hills of Rome which are a collection of hills of Rome, east of the Tiber river. However, this is not Titus' most notable achievement. The Baths of Titus were built in a rush, and were not particularly large or vast. The much huger Baths of Trajan were built next to them, in the next century.

Answer: Illness

The most commonly accepted opinion amongst historians is that Titus died of natural causes. However, both Cassius Dio and Suetonius state that although Titus died of natural causes, Domitian did nothing to help him, and simply waited for the unwell Titus to die. There were also rumours that Domitian had poisoned him.

Titus is recorded as having a fever, possibly from malaria (which was not well understood at the time), and historians have also suggested that he could have been suffering from a brain tumour.

Answer: I have made but one mistake

Both Cassius Dio and Suetonius report that these were Titus' last words.

Ancient Greek teacher (or "sophist") Philostratus suggests that the meaning behind Titus' last words, was that he was poisoned by his brother Domitian with a sea slug. He also said that the ancient Greek philosopher, Apollonius of Tyana, predicted his death.

Cassius Dio suggests that the mistake Titus was referring to was not having Domitian executed when he was caught plotting against him.

Titus had ruled the Roman Empire for just over 2 years when he died.