Vespasian, in his ninth consulship, has a slight illness in Campania.
Returning at once to Rome, he leaves for Aquae Cutiliae and the country around Reate, where he spends every summer; however, his illness worsens and he develops severe diarrhea.
Vespasian is on his deathbed on June 23, 79, and, expiring rapidly, he demands that he be helped to stand as he believes "An emperor should die on his feet".
He dies of a fever.
His purported great wit can be glimpsed from his last words; Væ, puto deus fio, "Oh! I think I'm becoming a god!".
