... in 66 Nero needed someone to put down the Jewish revolt in Judea and Vespasian was chosen to lead the three legions, more due to Nero's paranoia than to Vespasian's previous success in the field. Not only was Vespasian not related to any big family in Rome that might be persuaded to turn against Nero, but he had even married unambitiously. His wife, Flavia Domitilla, a Junian Latin by birth, gave him a daughter, who died young, and two sons, Titus and Domitian, before dying young herself. Yet from this position, Vespasian was able to further his career to the ultimate point and become the ruler of the known world. After Nero's suicide in 68AD concerning the Vindex affair, Galba at first took over. But the legions rebelled against him and Otho was successful in his coup. Otho however was unable to remain in power and Vitellius with a little ...

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