Domitian – 81-96AD

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Domitian

Emperor, 81 – 96 AD
Born 51 – Died 96 AD, Age 45

Titus Flavius Domitianus was born in Rome on October 24, 51 AD, the son of Titus Flavius Vespasianus and Flavia Domitilla. He was the younger brother of Titus. During the reigns of his father and brother, Domitian was kept very much in the background, remaining at home when his father and brother marched off to the East. Domitian became a pawn during the Civil War by Emperor Vitellius, who ordered his arrest in hopes of holding off his father, who was marching upon Rome at that time. However, Domitian managed to flee with his uncle Flavius. Vitellius’ troops pursued Domitian and his uncle, and they came under siege but managed to escape once again. Domitian finally made it to the advancing forces of his father, and soon thereafter, Vitellius fell from power.

Under his father’s reign, Domitian found himself embroiled in heated arguments with Mucianus over appointments he had made in the city’s administration. Domitian received little honor or attention throughout his father’s reign as Titus grew in fame and glory.

Cassius Dio claims that upon his father’s death, Domitian accused his brother of altering his will in favor of himself. Domitian argued that his father wanted them to rule jointly. It is hard to say whether this is true or a mere rumor. Nevertheless, Domitian remained at his brother’s side, with Caesar as his rank.

Upon the death of his brother Titus in 81 AD, Domitian’s succession was not disputed. Domitian reissued the sestertius to honor Titus’ construction of the Colosseum. There was some speculation that Domitian may have helped advance his brother’s death by placing him in a tub of ice to bring down his fever. However, there is no conclusive evidence to support that claim.

When Domitian first came to the throne, he displayed what many held to be great promise for the future, given the past records of his father and brother. However, Domitian soon offended Senatorial nobility with his affection for Greek arts and attire. Domitian took the office of Censor, which gave him control over the Senate’s membership list and behavior. The Senators responded with numerous plots and conspiracies. Domitian was suspicious by nature in almost every aspect of his life. His view of the Senate was one of distrust.

Domitian launched military campaigns against the Chatti in 83 AD and then against the Dacians who invaded the province of Moesia. Domitian returned to Rome, where he celebrated a double triumph. Domitian returned to the German frontier, but was robbed of a victory due to the revolt of Lucius Antonius Saturninus in 89 AD who was commander of the legions in Germania Superior. The legions of Germania Inferior, under the command of Lappius Maximus, marched against Saturninus and defeated him.

Despite problems with revolts, Domitain knew that his power resided with his legions. Therefore, he increased the pay of the soldiers. His popularity among the troops greatly increased, and Domitian began to wear military attire even when he was in Rome.

Domitian was a great admirer of Tiberius and saw himself in the position of his mentor, besieged with conspiracies and plots. Domitian began to arrest and execute even popular and distinguished men within Rome on conspiracy charges. Philosophers, including Epictetus, were banished from Rome. Many wealthy citizens were executed, and their assets were confiscated. He even suspected his wife Domitia and at least divorced her, although he had planned to execute her as well. As the story is told, Domitia found her own name on a list of conspirators and took the list to the Prefect of the Praetorian Guard. A plot to assassinate Domitian was then born.

With his wife banished, Domitian became attracted to his niece, Julia Titi (daughter of Titus). After executing her husband, she moved into the palace with her uncle and fulfilled the role of mistress. When she became pregnant, Domitian forced her to have an abortion, which she did not survive. Domitian honored her with the coinage when she died.

2 stadium

Stadium of Domitian

Domitian is also remembered for several building projects. Besides completing the construction of the Colosseum, he also erected several temples. He also built the Palace of the Emperors on Palatine Hill, which remained in use for 200 years until Diocletian in the late 3rd century AD. The Stadium of Domitian was also constructed over the site of the Campus Martius, where Julius Caesar and Augustus had built a wooden stadium. Nero restored this in wood, and Domitian rebuilt it in stone and brick. Today, the outline of the stadium can still be viewed as the Piazza Navona.

The final years of Domitian’s reign, from 93 to 96 AD, were ones of sheer terror and oppression. At this stage, insanity was clearly a part of his personality problems, as evidenced by his open claims that the Goddess Minerva was his mother. He was reconciled with his wife, Domitia, following the death of Julia Titi.

Domitian was eventually murdered in his palace on September 18th, 96 AD. The plot was a real conspiracy involving his chamberlain, the Praetorian Prefect, and, according to historian Cassius Dio, his wife, Domitia. Lacking an heir, Domitian had consulted astrologers as to who would succeed him. They responded – Nerva.

However, since Nerva was older than Domitian, he never took any action toward him. Upon the death of Domitian, Nerva was immediately offered the throne, and he accepted. Nerva may have played some role in Domitian’s assassination. As for Domitia, she lived in comfort and with the respect of the Roman people and Nerva.

Monetary System

3 domt gc

Mints: Rome, Lugdunum, Ephesus

Obverse Legends:

As Caesar under Vespasian

CAESAR AVG F DOMITIANVS
CAESAR AVG F DOMITIANVS COS (III-VI)
CAES AVG F DOMIT COS II
CAESAR AVG F DOMITIAN COS II

As Caesar under Titus

CAESAR AVG F DOMITIANVS COS VII
CAESAR DIVI F DOMITIANVS COS VII
CAES DIVI AVG VESP F DOMITIAN COS VII
CAES DIVI AVG VESP F DOMITIANVS COS VII

As Augustus

IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM PM TR P (IIII-XVI)
IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM COS XI CENS POT PP
IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM COS XI CENS PER PP
IMP CAES DOMITIAN AVG GERM COS X(-XI)
IMP CAES DOMITIANUS AVG PM

DENOMINATIONS

As Caesar Under Vespasian

AU Aureus (6.54 grams)
AR Denarius (3.54 grams)
AR Quinarius (1.51 grams)
AE Sestertius
AE Dupondius
AE As
AE Quadrans

As Caesar Under Titus

AU Aureus (6.54 grams)
AR Cistophorus (11.3 grams)
AR Denarius (3.54 grams)
AR Quinarius (1.51 grams)
AE Sestertius
AE Dupondius
AE As

As Augustus

AU Aureus (6.54 grams)
AU Quninarius (3.14 grams)
AR Cistophorus (11.3 grams)
AR Denarius (3.54 grams)
AR Quinarius (1.51 grams)
AE Sestertius
AE Dupondius
AE As
AE Semis
AE Quadrans

Restoration of Domitian (COMMEMORATIVES)

The Restitution issues by Domitian are by far the rarest of all the restitution issues by previous emperors. They are generally much harder to find being offered.

DIVVS AUGUSTUS

Æ Sestertius (Aug seated lf/SC)
Æ Dupondius (Rad Hd Lf/Vic adv left)
Æ As (Rad hd left star above/Altar)
Æ As (Rad hd left/Eagle on the globe)

MARCUS AGRIPPA

Æ As (hd lf/SC “IMP D AVG…”)

TIBERIUS

Æ As (Bare hd lf/SC “IMP D CÆS…”)

DRUSUS

Æ As (Bare hd lf/SC “IMP D CÆS…”)

GERMANICUS

Æ As (Bare hd lf/SC “IMP D CÆS…”)

CLAUDIUS

Æ Sestertius (Laur hd Left/Sepes adv lf)
Æ As (Bare hd Left/Minerva adv rt)
Æ As (Bare hd rt/Minerva adv rt)
Æ As (Bare hd Left/Spes adv left)

ANONYMOUS QUADRANTES

(Issued between Domitian & Antoninus Pius)

GRIFFIN left touching wheel / SC tripod
as above, but Griffin is right

HELMET/Owl SC

HIPPOPOTAMUS left/Laurel branch

MODIUS/Vase

RHINOCEROS
similar /OWL SC

APOLLO r/ SC tripod
similar /Eagle olive branch

BACCHUS rt/Elephant

BACCHUS crowned vine-leaves/SC wreath

JUPITER hd r / SC Eagle
similar / SC Winged Thunderbolt

MARS helmeted r / SC trophy
similar / SC cuirass
shield w/shewolf & twins lying spears
Aquila between 2 standards
cornucopiÆ
SC Olive branch or Palm branch

MERCURY bust R / SC winged caduceus

MERCURY bust R / Cock rt

MINERVA helmeted/ Owl SC
similar Large Owl
similar Small Owl
similar / Olive tree
similar / Club

NEPTUNE hd left/SC Dolphin
similar Dolphin coiled with an anchor
bearded/ Dolphin coiled with anchor

PETASOS/Winged Caduceus

TIBER crowned reeds r / SC she-wolf

TIBER crowned reeds LEFT / SC she-wolf

VENUS/Dove rt

VENUS/Dove left

ROMA helmeted rt/Æquitas stg left
similar /Fortuna stg left