Domitian, born as Titus Flavius Domitian in 51 A.D., was the last emperor of the Flavian dynasty, ruling the Roman Empire from 81 A.D. until his death in 96 A.D. He was the son of Vespasian and brother of Titus, who both preceded him on the throne.

Throughout his reign, Domitian was known for his rigorous approach to administering the empire and his hard stance against corruption, dissent, and those he considered a threat to his authority.

One of his first measures upon assuming the government of the empire was to combat corruption among public officials, which had been an endemic problem in Roman administration, affecting the efficiency of the government and undermining citizens’ trust in their leaders.

Statue of Domitian in the Vatican Museums
Statue of Domitian in the Vatican Museums. Credit: Steerpike / Wikimedia Commons

In 85 A.D., he appointed himself as a perpetual censor, with the aim of supervising and overseeing Roman morals and conduct. He did not hesitate to dismiss magistrates who accepted bribes and those who had divorced, something punishable by exile under the Lex Iulia de Adulteriis Coercendis, which he himself renewed.

He also did not hesitate to rescind laws when he suspected a conflict of interest or when their application was not convenient for him. This was a way to consolidate his authority and ensure the loyalty of officials through fear and respect.

In 89 A.D., he organized a banquet to which he invited a group of senators and magistrates, in a room that was painted completely black from ceiling to floor. In front of the couches were tombstones with the names of the guests, and the food was served by boys dressed in black on completely black plates, illuminated by lamps used in tombs. The meal consisted of the offerings usually made to the dead.

Portrait of Domitian, by Domenico Fetti (1610)
Portrait of Domitian, by Domenico Fetti (1610). Credit: Public domain / Wikimedia Commons

Throughout the banquet, the senators feared that death would come to each of them before the night ended, but finally, in the morning, Domitian sent messengers to inform them that they could take the tombstones as gifts, which turned out to be made of silver, along with the tableware and slaves.

He was reminding them to devote themselves to enjoying life and simple pleasures while they could, instead of opposing him and attacking him because death is always lurking.

In addition to his fight against corruption, he showed particular severity against those who dared to criticize him publicly. Rumors and libelous writings, especially those directed against him, were punished with exile or even death. His intolerance toward dissent was complemented by his desire to control the narrative about his government and his public image. In an effort to maintain order and protect his reputation, Domitian adopted a stance of constant vigilance, acting swiftly and decisively against any form of opposition.

Actors in the painting Dedication to Bacchus, by Lawrence Alma-Tadema (1889)
Actors in the painting Dedication to Bacchus, by Lawrence Alma-Tadema (1889). Credit: Public domain / Wikimedia Commons

Actors, particularly mimes, were not immune to Domitian’s suspicion. These artists, known for their satirical and often irreverent performances, were seen as potential sources of criticism and subversion, so he banned mimes from performing in public, a measure aimed at silencing any representation that might mock the government or negatively influence public opinion. A senator was even expelled from the Senate for acting and dancing in public.

Philosophers, on the other hand, also faced repression under his regime. Philosophy, with its traditional questioning and critique of power, was viewed with suspicion by the emperor. Epictetus, a prominent Stoic philosopher who had settled in Rome, was one of the main targets of these policies.

His teaching that philosophers should “look tyrants directly in the face” was in Domitian’s crosshairs. In 94 A.D., Domitian decreed the expulsion of all philosophers from Rome, forcing Epictetus to relocate to Nicopolis, a newly founded Roman city in Epirus, Greece. There, he continued his work and lived in relative safety until his death.

Inscription found in Philippi, Greece, with the name of Emperor Domitian erased after his damnatio memoriae
Inscription found in Philippi, Greece, with the name of Emperor Domitian erased after his damnatio memoriae. Credit: Juliana Bastos Marques / Wikimedia Commons

Domitian’s reign was a period marked by effective administration and consolidation of imperial power, and ultimately, his legacy is complex. Despite the positive aspects of his administration, the severity and brutality of his methods generated resentment and opposition among many sectors of Roman society, to the point that the emperor lived constantly under the threat of assassination.

For this reason, he ordered the stones of the floor of the gallery where he took his daily walk to be polished until they shone like a mirror, so he could watch his back at all times.

This discontent culminated in a palace conspiracy that resulted in his assassination in 96 A.D. Immediately after his death, which ended the Flavian dynasty, the senators quickly passed a motion condemning his memory to oblivion. This marked the beginning of a new chapter in the history of the Roman Empire under emperors Nerva and Trajan, who adopted a more moderate and conciliatory approach.

This article was first published on our Spanish Edition on July 25, 2024: Domiciano, el emperador que perseguía los bulos y escritos difamatorios

SOURCES

Brian Jones, The Emperor Domitian

Suetonio, Vida de Domiciano

Amelia Soth, A Roman Feast… of Death!

Waters, K. H. (1964). The Character of Domitian. Phoenix, 18(1), 49–77. doi.org/10.2307/1086912

Wikipedia, Domiciano

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