Vespasian

Vespasian (AD 9–79) was Roman emperor from 69 to 79, the general who ended the civil war of the Year of the Four Emperors and founded the Flavian dynasty. Born at Falacrinae near Rome to an undistinguished equestrian family, he is said to have earned the nickname muleteer by trading in mules. In 66 he was appointed to crush the Jewish revolt in Judaea.

After Nero's suicide in 68 and the deaths of Galba and Otho, the legions of Egypt and Judaea proclaimed him emperor on 1 July 69. His armies defeated Vitellius that December, and the Senate confirmed him emperor. He rebuilt state finances and began the Flavian Amphitheatre, the Colosseum.

A famous story has him taxing urine collection and telling his son Titus that money has no smell. He died on 23 June 79, and Titus succeeded him, the first Roman emperor followed by his natural son.