Chapter 10, Vespasian Summary and Analysis

Vespasian is part of the Flavian family and is born on November 17, AD 9. When Claudius becomes emperor, Vespasian goes to Britain where he fights thirty battles and restrains two tribes, capturing more than twenty towns. He also governs Africa where he rules with dignity and justice. He tours Greece with Nero, but offends him when he falls asleep during one of his shows.

His imperial ambition surfaces again after Nero and Galba are both dead and Otho and Vitellius are battling. An omen states that civil war will break out in Italy and that Vespasian will fight against the war. One day a dog brings a human hand and drops it under the table where Vespasian is sitting, a hand being a sign of great power. He also dreams that his family will prosper after Nero loses a tooth...