Domitian

NAME Titus Flavius Domitianus, commonly known as Domitian.

WHAT FAMOUS FOR Domitian was the Roman emperor from 81 to 96 AD. He was known for his authoritarian rule, extensive building projects, and financial reforms. His reign marked the final phase of the Flavian dynasty,

BIRTH Domitian was born in Rome on October 24, 51 AD.

FAMILY BACKGROUND He was the youngest son of Titus Flavius Vespasianus—commonly known as Vespasian—and Flavia Domitilla Major. His siblings were Domitilla the Younger and Titus Flavius Vespasianus (Emperor Titus). His father, Vespasian, later became emperor in 69 AD, establishing the Flavian dynasty. The Flavians were a relatively new family to imperial power, rising to prominence through military success and political maneuvering.

CHILDHOOD Unlike his older brother Titus, Domitian had a less privileged upbringing. When his father and brother were away on military campaigns, he remained in Rome, living in relatively modest conditions. The civil wars of 69 AD (the Year of the Four Emperors) left him in a precarious position before his father secured the throne.

EDUCATION Domitian received a strong classical education, excelling in literature and rhetoric. He was particularly fond of Greek and Roman poetry and was well-versed in philosophy. His education was suited for a statesman, although he was largely overshadowed by his more experienced brother, Titus.

CAREER RECORD Before becoming emperor, Domitian was given ceremonial titles but little real authority under his father and brother. 

Became Emperor in 81 AD after the sudden death of Titus.

Ruled for 15 years, centralizing power and implementing administrative reforms.

Oversaw building projects, economic measures, and military campaigns.

His later years were defined by increasing paranoia and a crackdown on dissent, leading to his assassination in 96 AD. 

APPEARANCE Ancient sources describe Domitian as tall and well-proportioned, with a high forehead, prominent eyes, and a stern expression. However, later historians hostile to his rule mention that he suffered from baldness and a protruding belly.

Despite being sensitive about his baldness, Domitian wrote a humorous manual on hair care titled De cura capillorum. In it, he ironically acknowledged his own hair loss with wit. (1)

Bust of roman emperor Domitian in the Louvre by I, Sailko Wikipedia

FASHION Domitian preferred simple yet elegant clothing. He often wore the traditional Roman toga but with a purple border, a symbol of imperial power. He also took great care in his appearance, despite later criticism of his physical features.

CHARACTER Domitian's character is viewed negatively by many ancient writers. He is portrayed as autocratic, cruel, and paranoid. However, some modern historians argue that these accounts may be biased and that he was an intelligent, effective administrator.

SPEAKING VOICE Suetonius notes that Domitian abandoned literary pursuits and relied on secretaries to refine his  speeches. Despite this, he had a "lively turn of phrase," as seen in his witty remarks and cryptic humor.

Domitian's oratory often included calculated preambles to his decisions, particularly in judicial contexts. Suetonius describes how he would precede harsh sentences with declarations of clemency, creating a paradoxical effect where his "leniency" became a signal for impending cruelty

SENSE OF HUMOUR Domitian's humor frequently revolved around themes of death and fear. For instance, he once hosted a dinner party where guests were surrounded by symbols of death, such as black couches and gravestones, creating an atmosphere of terror. While some interpret this as a dark joke, others see it as a demonstration of power rather than humor

RELATIONSHIPS Domitian married Domitia Longina in the year 70 AD. This marriage occurred after Domitian persuaded Domitia's first husband, Lucius Aelius Lamia Plautius Aelianus, to divorce her. The union was both a personal and political alliance, as Domitia came from a prestigious family, being the daughter of the renowned general Gnaeus Domitius Corbulo.

Their relationship was turbulent. Domitian exiled her for a time, possibly due to suspicions of infidelity, but later recalled her to the palace. 

Domitia Longina Wikipedia

Domitian had few close friends and trusted very few people, preferring to rely on the support of the army rather than the Senate. His relationships with senators and aristocrats were often strained due to his autocratic style of rule.

MONEY AND FAME Domitian is particularly known for his efforts to improve the quality of Roman coinage. He aimed to restore the silver content of the denarius, the standard Roman silver coin, which had been debased in previous years. This was a significant step towards stabilizing the Roman economy and restoring confidence in its currency.   

 While known for his lavish spending on public works and entertainment, Domitian also took measures to manage the state's finances. He increased taxes and carefully controlled public spending to ensure a steady flow of revenue.   

 Domitian intervened in certain sectors of the economy to promote stability and growth. For instance, he took measures to protect Italian agriculture by limiting vineyard expansion, ensuring a steady supply of grain to the Roman populac

Domitian was highly concerned with his public image and spent vast sums of money on extravagant building projects, including the completion of the Colosseum. He heavily taxed the wealthy elite to fund these endeavors and was known for his lavish displays of imperial power. While he sought fame and recognition, his harsh rule made him unpopular with the Senate, who condemned his memory after his death.

FOOD AND DRINK Domitian's personal meals were a testament to the luxurious tastes of Roman elites, featuring exotic dishes like roasted meats and fish, seasoned with honey, vinegar, and spices such as fenugreek and sumac.  He also indulged in foods influenced by Greek and Egyptian culinary traditions.  Domitian's banquets were not merely meals; they were elaborate, theatrical events. 

Domitian revived the practice of formal public banquets, transforming them from the simple food distributions of Nero's era into grand displays of imperial power and generosity.  

The infamous "Black Banquet," as described by Cassius Dio, exemplifies this, with its all-black food, decorations, and dinnerware, creating an atmosphere of fear and showcasing Domitian's morbid sense of humor.  

His eccentricity extended to mixing edible and inedible items in his meals, such as seasoning peas with gold nuggets or rice with pearls, demonstrating both his vast wealth and his unusual tastes.  Domitian's dining choices were often symbolic. The use of black foods at certain feasts, for instance, was interpreted as reflecting his preoccupation with death or as a satirical excess of luxury.  

Even his dining spaces, like the grand triclinium in the Domus Flavia, were designed to project dominance and power through their sheer scale and opulence.  

Like most Romans, Domitian likely consumed wine with his meals.  However, he also enacted policies to limit vineyard expansion in Italy during his reign.

MUSIC AND ARTS Domitian was a great patron of the arts and took a deep interest in music, drama, and performance. He established the Capitoline Games in 86 AD, a festival modeled after the Olympic Games, featuring not only athletic competitions but also music, poetry, and acting contests. He personally funded the travel of competitors from across the empire and awarded the prizes himself. He also encouraged innovations in theatre and entertainment.

LITERATURE Domitian had a keen interest in literature and was himself a poet, although none of his works survive. He supported poets and intellectuals, though his censorship and authoritarian rule led some writers, like Tacitus and Pliny the Younger, to criticize him. After his death, many authors painted him in a negative light, but during his reign, he was known to support literary culture.

NATURE Domitian had a great appreciation for nature and spent time at his luxurious villa in the Alban Hills, away from the bustle of Rome. He was known for his interest in gardens and outdoor retreats, favoring the tranquility of the countryside when not engaged in political matters.

HOBBIES AND SPORTS Domitian’s greatest passions were the arts and the games. He was an avid supporter of gladiator shows and introduced innovations such as female and dwarf gladiators. His love for spectacle extended to chariot races and athletic competitions. The Capitoline Games, which he established, included not only traditional sports but also artistic performances, showing his deep investment in cultural as well as physical contests.

Personally, Domitian was active and athletic, enjoying hunting and physical competitions. 

SCIENCE AND MATHS Domitian took an interest in science and engineering, particularly in architecture. His reign saw extensive building projects, including improvements to Rome’s infrastructure. He was also known for his meticulous attention to detail, which some sources suggest extended to administrative matters, including taxation and military logistics.

REIGN Domitian ruled Rome from 81 to 96 AD with the firm belief that he—and only he—knew how things should be run. He was efficient, disciplined, and deeply fond of grand gestures, particularly if they involved large construction projects or enthusiastic displays of loyalty. His crowning architectural achievement was completing the Colosseum, which had been started by his father, and he made sure to fill it with all manner of extravagant entertainments, from chariot races to gladiatorial contests, some featuring women and dwarfs for added spectacle.

The army adored him, largely because he paid them well and kept them busy with campaigns along Rome’s frontiers. The Senate, on the other hand, was less enamored. Domitian had a habit of treating them like an annoying formality, preferring to govern as an absolute ruler. As time went on, his paranoia grew, and so did the number of executions and exiles. This did not endear him to the upper classes, who were already quite put out by his insistence on being addressed as “lord and god.”

PHILOSOPHY & THEOLOGY Domitian took an active role in shaping the religious landscape of the Roman Empire. He was a staunch supporter of traditional Roman religious practices and emphasized the worship of Jupiter, even referring to himself as dominus et deus ("lord and god"). He harshly persecuted those who refused to recognize the state gods, including early Christians and some Jewish communities. Domitian also restored and expanded many temples, reinforcing the divine authority of the emperor.

POLITICS Domitian ruled as an absolute monarch, strengthening the power of the emperor while reducing the influence of the Senate. He centralized authority, enforced strict moral laws, and demanded unwavering loyalty from his officials. 

SCANDAL Ancient sources, particularly Suetonius and Cassius Dio, paint Domitian as a ruler prone to cruelty and excess. 

He was rumored to have had numerous affairs, including a particularly scandalous one with his niece, Julia Flavia. 

Domitian's authoritarian rule led to frequent accusations of treason against senators and elites, many of whom were executed or exiled. His paranoia increased in his later years, fueling further conspiracies against him.

MILITARY RECORD Domitian spent much of his reign strengthening the Roman military. He launched successful campaigns in Germania and against the Dacians, securing Rome’s borders. He also reinforced the fortifications along the Rhine and Danube, ensuring the empire’s security. Although he sought military glory, he did not personally lead many campaigns, instead delegating command to trusted generals.

HEALTH AND PHYSICAL FITNESS Domitian was reportedly in good physical condition for most of his life.  However, his paranoia and increasing isolation in his later years may have affected his mental health, leading to erratic behavior and harsh crackdowns on perceived enemies.

HOMES Domitian lived in the imperial palace on the Palatine Hill, which he renovated extensively to reflect his grandeur. He also had several luxurious villas, including a grand retreat in the Alban Hills, where he sought relaxation away from Rome. His building projects throughout the empire were vast, leaving a lasting architectural legacy.

TRAVEL Unlike some of his predecessors, Domitian did not travel extensively. He preferred to rule from Rome and relied on his generals to manage military campaigns. However, he did visit the provinces on occasion, particularly in Gaul and the Germanic frontiers, to oversee military operations and infrastructure projects.

DEATH Domitian was assassinated on 18 September 96 AD in a conspiracy orchestrated by his court officials. According to Suetonius, the primary instigator was his chamberlain, Parthenius, possibly out of fear for his own safety after Domitian executed Nero’s former secretary, Epaphroditus. 

The killing was carried out by a freedman of Parthenius named Maximus and a steward of Domitian’s niece Flavia Domitilla, named Stephanus. Stephanus feigned an arm injury to conceal a dagger, which he used to stab Domitian. Other conspirators quickly joined in, ensuring the emperor’s death. His assassination marked the end of the Flavian dynasty.

Domitian's body was reportedly handled unceremoniously after his death. His corpse was rushed out of the palace by undertakers of the lowest class, indicating a lack of proper imperial honors.

Cremation: Domitian's loyal nurse took charge of his remains. She had his body cremated in her own suburban property, rather than in an official imperial ceremony. 

APPEARANCES IN MEDIA Domitian hasn’t quite achieved the blockbuster villain status of, say, Nero or Caligula, but he has made his fair share of appearances in books, films, and television, usually as an austere, paranoid autocrat with a penchant for executions.

Ancient historians like Suetonius, Tacitus, and Cassius Dio painted Domitian as a tyrannical ruler, and their accounts have influenced nearly every portrayal of him since.  

In literature, he often appears as a villain in stories about early Christians due to his persecution of religious minorities. More modern historical novels, such as Lindsey Davis’ Marcus Didius Falco series, often depict Domitian as a menacing background figure—someone to be feared but not necessarily seen up close.

While Domitian hasn't enjoyed the Hollywood limelight as much as other emperors, he does show up in historical dramas and documentaries. He appears in episodes of TV series like Ancient Rome: The Rise and Fall of an Empire (BBC, 2006), where he is portrayed as an increasingly erratic and paranoid ruler.

ACHIEVEMENTS Despite his controversial reign, Domitian left a lasting mark on Rome. His achievements include:

Completing the Colosseum, one of Rome’s most famous landmarks.

Establishing the Capitoline Games in 86 AD, a festival combining athletic competitions with music, poetry, and oratory.

Strengthening Rome’s borders through military campaigns and defensive fortifications.

Engaging in vast building projects, including temples, roads, and public works.

Reforming the economy by stabilizing currency and increasing state revenues.

Source (1) The Historian's Hut