The Judaea Capta series was authorized by Vespasian following the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD and the suppression of the First Jewish–Roman War — one of the most politically significant military victories the Flavian dynasty had to exploit. Vespasian needed the propaganda badly: his claim to the throne rested almost entirely on military reputation, and the Jewish war was his war. This sestertius, struck under Titus as Caesar rather than as emperor, dates to the period when he was being groomed as heir and associated with the campaign's glory.
The spoils funding much of Flavian Rome's construction — including the Colosseum — came directly from the sack of Jerusalem and the Temple treasury.
The Judaea Capta series was authorized by Vespasian following the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD and the suppression of the First Jewish–Roman War — one of the most politically significant military victories the Flavian dynasty had to exploit. Vespasian needed the propaganda badly: his claim to the throne rested almost entirely on military reputation, and the Jewish war was his war. This sestertius, struck under Titus as Caesar rather than as emperor, dates to the period when he was being groomed as heir and associated with the campaign's glory.
The spoils funding much of Flavian Rome's construction — including the Colosseum — came directly from the sack of Jerusalem and the Temple treasury.