Roman Emperor Titus Flavius Vespasianus (born
December 30, AD
39, died
September 13,
81; ruled
79-
81). Elder son of the emperor Vespasian and succeeded by his brother,
Domitian. Titus's reputation has prospered in contrast to the character of Domitian, whose persecutions were detailed by the contemporary historian
Tacitus. Titus was emperor during the eruption of
Mount Vesuvius and the consequent destruction of life and property in the cities and resort communities around the Bay of Naples. The Triumphal
Arch of Titus, which stands at one entrance to the
Roman Forum, memorializes the Triumph he was awarded for his defeat of the Jewish Rebellion (AD 66-70) and sack of
Jerusalem in AD 70. It was while he was in Jerusalem that he began his love affair with
Berenice of Cilicia.
