Domitian

Family: Flavian · Role: son · First appears: Vespasian 3

Domitian was the son of Vespasian and Flavia Domitilla, alongside Titus and Domitilla. Born at the Pomegranate, he fled with his uncle Sabinus into the Capitol during the war with Vitellius, then escaped disguised as a worshipper of Isis. After his party’s success he was saluted Caesar; later, Titus kept him at court, declared him his partner and successor, and obtained for him his only ordinary consulship, while Vespasian reprimanded him and required him to live under closer supervision. Domitian also sought, unsuccessfully, the command of aid requested by Vologesus against the Alani.

Domitian married Domitia Longina after taking her from Aelias Lamia. He later appointed Domitia Augusta, put her away because of her love for Paris, and took her back soon afterward; the account also says he was enamoured of Domitia and once obstinately refused her. He had a son by her, and later compelled her to procure a miscarriage when she was pregnant by him, which the account says caused her death. His other personal associations included the allegations involving Clodius Pollio and Nerva, and his refusal to receive a kiss from Caenis, instead offering her his hand to kiss.

As ruler, Domitian employed Metius Rufus, Cornelius Fuscus, Clodianus, Saturius, Parthenius, and Epaphroditus, while confronting Lucius Antonius and others. He ordered the deaths or punishments of Cornelia, Hermogenes of Tarsus, Civica Cerealis, Salvidienus Orfitus, Acilius Glabrio, Salvius Cocceianus, Helvidius, Flavius Sabinus, Aelius Lamia, Metius Pomposianus, Sallustius Lucullus, and Junius Rusticus; he also condemned Epaphroditus and suddenly killed his cousin Flavius Clemens. Although he was preparing to condemn Aretinus Clemens, he retained him in the same or greater favour.

At last, Stephanus, a steward of Domitilla, entered through a pretended conspiracy and stabbed Domitian, after which Clodianus, Maximus, Saturius, and gladiators stabbed him seven times. He was killed at forty-five, after fifteen years of reign; Phyllis buried him at his suburban villa and later mingled his remains with those of Julia (daughter of Titus). The soldiers demanded punishment for those involved in his assassination, while the senate ordered his titles erased and his memory abolished.