Vespasian

Titus Flavius Vespasianus

Vespasian, Titus Flavius Vespasianus (17 November 9 – 24 June 79 AD) was Roman emperor from 69 – 79 AD.

Quotes

• Pecunia non olet.
  • Money does not smell.
    • Paraphrase of Suetonius, Life of Vespasian, ch. 23, 3. Vespasian's son Titus complained about the disgusting nature of the tax, his father held up a gold coin and asked whether he felt offended by its smell (sciscitans num odore offenderetur). When Titus said "No", Vespasian replied, "Yet it comes from urine" (Atqui ex lotio est). Cf. Dio Cassius, Roman History, bk. 65, ch. 14.5

• Vae, puto, deus fio... imperatorem stantem oportet mori.
  • Woe is me, I think I'm turning into a god... An emperor should die on his feet.
    • Last words, anticipating his apotheosis, in Suetonius, Life of Vespasian, ch. 23, 4