A dynasty of three

The Flavian Dynasty as it is referred to was just a rule of three family members who promoted much change in thinking in Rome. After all with Vespasian (70-79) we see a man who was older, and had a strong background in the empire. He was well traveled and while he was not Roman himself became an example of the path to becoming emperor. He was not the most brilliant of men but he was a strong firm leader who honored the traditions of the time. Vespasian greatest legacy has stood to modern times. The Colosseum was commissioned under his rule.
He raised his sons with this same manner and while his two sons were very different men they too influenced Rome. Titus was the first son to follow in dad's footsteps. Titus ruled from 79-81. Titus was experienced in Palestine and had been left by his father to command the legions during the sack of Jerusalem. During the two brief years that Titus ruled he was faced by the eruption of Vesuvius and the opening of the Colosseum. Titus was a well loved emperor. His untimely death was a hard transition for Rome to undergo. Upon the death of his brother Domitian became the next Flavian to rule Rome. The empire was struck with a great change in thinking regarding the emperor. Domitian wanted his subject to see him as a god. This was the first instance of this thinking in Roman tradition. Domitian was an efficent and effect ruler. He did his own thing and made sure the senate knew they were not needed. He threatened the checks and balances that had been placed on the emperor. He was ruthless in his efforts and taxed with out any sort of mercy or remorse. Domitian's rule became so fierce that the senate played a major part in his assassination.

While these events only spanned 26years we see a great amount of influence from this rule of three. The father set the example for his sons. One sone followed in his stead and kept the peace. The other sought his own riches and power. It strikes me that the history of these three men sounds very much like the roots of the parable of the prodical son. Wether you are familiar with the story or not the basic of the story is that one son stayed with his father and did is he should while the other ventured out and caused great heart ache. Yet when the latter son returned home the father welcomed him with open arms. I find it fascinating that in this respect the son who followed their father the closest had the shortest life and the prodical son was the one of the three who ruled Rome the longest and was hated the most by his people. This small dynasty gave us one of the greatest historical treasures and examples of architecture. The Colosseum is known by recognition through out the world and is the starting point for the designs of all stadiums. When we sit at a football game or a theater we are joined through history to these three men. So while in the grand scale of Roman history these men only platy a small brief part I think we owe them much.