Wiki reminds us that Vespasian was Roman Emperor from 69-79 AD. He came from a military family and became famous for squelching the Jewish rebellion of 66. The root of the conflict was Greeks sacrificing birds in front of a synagogue in Caesarea. Because the Roman garrison did not interfere, escalating attacks upon Romans citizens and their supporters began, resulting in King Agrippa II and Berenice fleeing to Galilee. A Roman legion and auxiliary were defeated, resulting in Emperor Nero appointing Vespasian to end the rebellion.
Nero of course, was rapidly losing his sanity, and was finally declared an enemy of Rome by the Senate. He fled, and to a villa outside of Rome where he committed suicide. A civil war ensued, where Rome had four emperors in a single year. After successfully regaining control of Judea, in 69 AD, he returned to Rome, leaving his son Titus to complete the assault and siege of Jerusalem. Supported by the Roman military, he was declared Emperor by the Senate in 69 AD, at the age of 60.
Roman Emperor Vespasian's Villa Found tells that the emperor's summer residence has been discovered near the town of Cittareale (click for the Google Earth view), northeast of Rome. The Discovery Channel's article adds that Vespasian was born in nearby Falacrinae, and may have built the 161,459 square foot villa to impress former friends and family. Perhaps not, because Vespasian was a builder - during his rule, several major structures such as the Colosseum were constructed.
It was in his summer villa that he died in 79 AD. Wiki notes that Vespasian was bright and good-natured. In response to a philosopher who repeatedly slandered him, he said, "I will not kill a dog that barks at me."
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