How did Vespasian begin his political and military career?

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Vespasian Bust of Vespasian, found at Ostia; in the Museo Nazionale Romano, Rome.

Vespasian’s political and military career began following his military service in Thrace and a quaestorship in Crete. He subsequently achieved the praetorship in 39 CE, the earliest year permitted by law.1

During his early political life, he successfully ingratiated himself with the emperor Caligula and later gained the favor of Narcissus, a powerful freedman under Claudius. This political maneuvering facilitated his military advancement, leading to his appointment as commander of the Legio II Augusta during the invasion of Britain in 43 CE. His distinguished performance in that campaign, which included the conquest of territories as far west as Devon, earned him triumphal honors and eventually led to his appointment as consul in 51 CE.1