Domitian
Also known as: Caesar Domitian · Family: Roman · Role: son of Vespasian · First appears: Book IV, Chapter 10
In Book IV, Chapter 10, Domitian is identified as the son of Vespasian, alongside his brother Titus. In Chapter 11, he joined Sabinus, his elder-kin, when Sabinus seized the capitol at night; Domitian escaped with other prominent Romans when Vitellius’ forces destroyed the rest. The next day, Mucianus presented Domitian to the people in Rome as they acclaimed Vespasian emperor.
Around 70, at Cesarea, Titus celebrated Domitian’s birthday by overseeing the deaths of more than 2,500 captives. Soon afterward, Domitian suppressed the revolt in Gaul, settled its affairs, and returned to Rome honored for achievements described as “worthy of so great a father.” In Book VII, Chapter 5, he rode with Vespasian and Titus.
Relationship record
Life events
- Sabinus seized the capitol, and Domitian joined him with other prominent Romans.(Book IV, Chapter 11 · 📍 the capitol)
- With: Sabinus
- “assembled those cohorts of soldiers that kept watch by night, and in the night time seized upon the capitol; and, as the day came on, many men of character came over to him, with Domitian”
- Mucianus presented Domitian, and Rome acclaimed Vespasian as emperor.(Book IV, Chapter 11 · 📍 Rome)
- c. 70 · Titus commemorated Domitian’s birthday by overseeing the deaths of more than 2,500 captives.(Book VII, Chapter 3 · 📍 Cesarea)
- With: Titus
- “While Titus was at Cesarea, he solemnized the birthday of his brother [Domitian] after a splendid manner, and inflicted a great deal of the punishment intended for the Jews in honor of him; for the number of those that were now slain in fighting with the beasts, and were burnt, and fought with one another, exceeded two thousand five hundred.”
- c. 70 · Caesar Domitian suppresses the revolt, settles Gaul, and returns to Rome honored.(Book VII, Chapter 4 · 📍 Gaul)
- “When therefore Domitian had settled all the affairs of Gaul in such good order, that it would not be easily put into disorder any more, he returned to Rome with honor and glory, as having performed such exploits as were above his own age, but worthy of so great a father.”
Book IV, Chapter 10
- parent: Vespasian “that is, Vespasian's brother, 21 and his other son [Domitian]; the one of whom will bring in a great many of those young men that are of dignity, while the other is intrusted with the government of the city”
Book IV, Chapter 11
- elder kin: Sabinus (Sabinus is Domitian's uncle.) “many men of character came over to him, with Domitian, his brother's son”
- enemies with Vitellius (Roman emperor) (Domitian was among the defenders of the Capitol attacked by Vitellius's army.) “where Domitian, with many other of the principal Romans, providentially escaped, while the rest of the multitude were entirely cut to pieces”
- parent: Vespasian (The passage identifies Vespasian as Domitian's father through the immediate context.) “He then produced Domitian, and recommended him to the multitude, until his father should come himself; so the people being now freed from their fears, made acclamations of joy for Vespasian, as for their emperor,”
Book VII, Chapter 3
- siblings with Titus “While Titus was at Cesarea, he solemnized the birthday of his brother [Domitian] after a splendid manner”
Book VII, Chapter 4
- parent: Vespasian (The preceding passage identifies Vespasian as the father referred to.) “for as soon as ever the news of their revolt was come to Rome, and Caesar Domitian was made acquainted with it, he made no delay, even at that his age, when he was exceeding young, but undertook this weighty affair. He had a courageous mind from his father, and had made greater improvements than belonged to such an age: accordingly he marched against the barbarians immediately; whereupon their hearts failed them at the very rumor of his approach, and they submitted themselves to him with fear, and thought it a happy thing that they were brought under their old yoke again without suffering any further mischiefs. When therefore Domitian had settled all the affairs of Gaul in such good order, that it would not be easily put into disorder any more, he returned to Rome with honor and glory, as having performed such exploits as were above his own age, but worthy of so great a father.”
Book VII, Chapter 5
- with Vespasian (Domitian accompanied Vespasian in the triumph.) “After which Vespasian marched in the first place, and Titus followed him; Domitian also rode along with them”
- with Titus (Domitian accompanied Titus in the triumph.) “After which Vespasian marched in the first place, and Titus followed him; Domitian also rode along with them”
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Extracted from the original text of The Wars of the Jews; Or, The History of the Destruction of Jerusalem. Made with Rho MD.