Bibliogr. p. 58-59

The establishment of a monarchical regime by Julius Caesar and Augustus, with its professional army and a salaried and steadily growing imperial bureaucracy created unprecedented opportunities for aspiring members of the equestrian and municipal elites. Suetonius begins his biography of Vespasian by pointing to the humble origins, by Roman standards, of the gens Flavia, describing it as obscure and without ancestral portraits. The Flavians have a slow start during Tiberius’ final years, and Vespasian experienced mixed fortunes under Gaius. The coming of monarchy had certainly enhanced the chances of aspiring and talented men from the municipal aristocracies. Nonetheless, mere adulation or bribery would have been insufficient for a new man to achieve the kind of success enjoyed by the Flavians under Claudius and Nero. With Titus’ backing, Mucianus may have played a critical role in winning over the active or passive support of some of Corbulo's ranking officers and centurions. (source : éditeur)