Page "Vespasian" Paragraph 9

His success as the legate of a legion, earned him a consulship in 51 after which he retired from public life, having incurred the enmity of Claudius ' wife, Agrippina.

He came out of retirement in 63 when he was sent as governor to Africa Province.

According to Tacitus ( ii. 97 ), his rule was " infamous and odious " but according to Suetonius ( Vesp.

4 ), he was " upright and, highly honourable ".

On one occasion he was pelted with turnips.

Vespasian used his time in North Africa wisely.

Usually governorships were seen by ex-consuls as opportunities to extort huge amounts of money to regain their wealth that they had spent on their previous political campaigns.

Corruption was so rife, that it was almost expected that a governor would come back from these appointments with his pockets full.

However, Vespasian used his time in North Africa making friends instead of money ; something that would be far more valuable in the years to come.

During his time in North Africa, he found himself in financial difficulties and was forced to mortgage his estates to his brother.

To revive his fortunes he turned to the mule trade and gained the nickname mulio ( mule-driver ).