Domitian
| Domitian | |
|---|---|
| Roman Emperor | |
 Domitian, the first century , the Louvre Museum . | |
| Reign | |
| 14 September 81 - 18 September 96 (~ 15 years) | |
| Period | Flavian |
| Predecessor (s) | Titus |
| Usurper (s) | Antonius Saturninus ( 89 ) |
| Successor (s) | Nerva |
| Biography | |
| Birth | 24 October 51 - Rome |
| Original Name | Titus Flavius Domitianus |
| Deaths | 18 September 96 (44) - Rome |
| Father | Vespasian |
| Mother | Domitilla the Elder |
| Spouse (s) | Longina Domitian ( 71 - 96 ) |
| Descent | (1) Titus Flavius deceased child (2) 1 daughter deceased child |
| List of Roman Emperors | |
Domitian ( Latin : ( 24 October 51 - 18 September 96 ), is a Roman emperor who reigned from 81 to 96. His reign is one of the most controversial of imperial history.
Summary |
Domitian was born on October 24 51 (year 804 of Rome). He is the younger son of Vespasian and Domitilla, the brother and successor Titus. Suetonius described in these terms:
"Domitian was waist high, a modest and blushing face, large eyes, but to rather low and in addition it was beautiful, well balanced, especially during his youth Marginalized by his father and brotherDomitian's political career began at age 21 when present at Rome with his uncle Flavius Sabinus Domitian received the title of Caesar in December 69 , therefore, heir to the empire, together with its brother Titus. It is proclaimed Princeps Iuventutis (Prince of Youth) . In 70 he is Vespasian, who has not yet returned from the East, with the Senate and gets a taste of power. However, it is quickly marginalized by his father. So that is all about Vespasian Titus giving the best education possible, it gives Domitian a very brief training. If it gets all the honors due his rank, untidy and spiteful does not please his father, who dismisses the conduct of business. She was not therefore be no learning nor the administration nor the army. It is "on the job he learns his craft emperor. Vespasian denied all major military commands and do not trust him when he so requests, the opportunity to lead the troops responsible for suppressing the revolt of Civilis and the Batavian , or to go to rescue the king of Parthians threatened by the Alans.
Under the government of his brother Titus ( 79 - 81 ), Domitian plot again and still see out of power. But Titus dies pretty quickly, probably sick and not poisoned by Domitian as his opponents will tell. What is certain is that Domitian wastes no time and is recognized originator (the 13 September 81 ) while his brother still dying. He is 30 years. It is he who brings Egyptian obelisks that have adorned the temple of Isis.
Around 71 he married Domitia Longina , which gives, 73 , a first son, Vespasian, who died young. He then removed for misconduct , and then resumed living together and makes it in 90 , again a second son named Vespasian. This second child died young, too, at the age of five.
A reign dominated by the war on the Danube
Main article: Dacian campaign of Domitian.The reign of Domitian is dominated by the struggles against the peoples of Germany and especially the region of the Danube. While in Britain Agricola brilliantly continues the conquest of the island , Domitian visit the Gaul in 83 and starts at the head of eight legions, a surprise offensive against the people of Germanic Rhine the most powerful in the time the Chatti. They are defeated and the Roman presence in the region seriously reinforced . At that time Domitian already revealed his shady character. And Agricola, which is certainly jealous Domitian, was relieved of his duties 84. But soon the situation is deteriorating on the Danube. The Dacians were divided into five different kingdoms, have merged under the leadership of a strong and ruthless leader, Decebal. In 85 the governor of Moesia , Oppius Sabinus was killed fighting against them. Domitian personally involved with the praetorian guard and to hunt the Dacians mountains of Transylvania. Domitian then returned to Rome and asked the praetorian prefect , Cornelius Fuscus further pacification. Fuscus, which Juvenal portrays pathetic , is an opportunist, but a poor soldier. By 86 , he is defeated and killed in the valley by Tapa Decebalus itself.
Domitian sends an experienced soldier, Tettius Julianus , who 69 had defeated in Moesia the Roxolani and knows perfectly the area. It receives two legions, one of Britain, the other Dalmatian and shall immediately enter his men their name and their centurion on their shields to distinguish good soldiers cowards. He forced Decebalus retired by his victory in 89 to the Iron Gates but turned back before reaching the Dacian capital because the resistance is fierce and usurpation of 89 changes the internal political situation in the empire. Domitian prefers to deal with and made peace Decebalus. It becomes a king and customer receives subsidies. This situation will continue until the reign of Trajan. The attempted theft of 89 , and Agri Decumates
In 89 the legate of Germania Antonius Saturninus tries to usurp power with the support of two legions, one of the senators whose relationship with Domitian are conflicting, and enlisted the alliance of the Chatti. This attempt cut short pretty quickly. The second legate of Germania Lappius Maximus , without even waiting for the support of Trajan and his legion of Spain , is winner of the usurper . Domitian concludes a quick peace with the Dacians and then ruthlessly avenge all those he suspects of having links with the attempt of Saturninus. Some senators are executed, often cruelly. It is run envoys Suevi ( quads and Marcomanni ) who had refused their help in the war against Decebalus. He reorganized the province of Germania in the form of two Roman provinces distinct areas: the Upper Germany and Lower Germany , each with four legions. Three legions were sent from Germany to Pannonia , border more dangerous, including two who had followed the uprising. The war against the Sarmatians and Swabians lasts until 93 , and a legion, XXI Rapax , is destroyed by them.
Domitian reacts swiftly to face the threatening situation. It throws a new legion in Germany , the I Minervia to replace one that recently destroyed, and above all he launched the construction of the Limes Agri Decumates which allows a fortified junction between the possessions of the Rhine and Danube.
Domestic policy
Overshadowed by the military difficulties and the bloody end of the reign of Domitian the inner work is none the less considerable and prefigures the reign of Trajan. He reformed the Roman administration, is Rome the ruins caused by the fires of 64 and 80. For this, he embellished Rome several buildings (the vast remains of Flavian palace on the Palatine , the Temple of Jupiter Capitoline , the Forum of Vespasian , the Arch of Titus ) and restores the library of Augustus who had burned. It completes the Coliseum by adding attic surmounting the arches. It also seeks to develop agriculture and Italian legislate on abandoned land in 82. It promotes Italian wine by an edict protector. Finally, he seeks the loyalty of the military by increasing the pay of about 25%, which corresponds to an old claim dating back to the revolt of year 6. In 86 , the Capitoline games are organized for the first time. In 87 , the ancient Games were celebrated with pomp.
The death of Domitian
At the beginning of the reign Domitian was liberal and just. He is praised for his sense of justice, religion . However, natural sound worried, his tendency to see conspiracies everywhere, his violence and authoritarianism darken the end of his reign. His outrageousness he calls himself Lord and God, Most Holy Emperor and even Jupiter - antagonized the Senate . This trend worsened after the conspiracy of 89. He puts to death a few senators and Romans distinguished Helvidius Priscus , Cerealis , Arulenus Rusticus , and his own cousins Sabinus , Clemens , and seized their property. He orders a cruel persecution against Christians who refuse to help rebuild the temple of the Capitol. It proscribes the philosophers, among other Epictetus and Dio Chrysostom , and historians, which he fears severe judgments.
In this troubled context is bound and a conspiracy involving the empress herself, and the praetorian prefect Petronius Secundus , his chamberlain and some senators. Domitian was assassinated in his palace on September 18 96. According to Suetonius , the news of his assassination, the Roman senate hastened to remove all traces of Domitian pronouncing his damnatio memoriae . His death also causes a serious military crisis because it was popular in the army. His successor, Nerva , appointed by the Senate, can not prevent the Praetorians kill his killers (who, however indirectly, he owes his throne even if the conspiracy is abroad) and must deal with rebellions in the legions of Germania and the Danube. His skill is then to appoint as successor an officer widely respected by the troops, Trajan.
Trivia
This emperor was pleased, according to Suetonius , to shake his subjects, even when he's saving. One day he invited to a feast key senators and receives in a room hung with black, which are prepared as many coffins as dinner guests. Having made a game of their fright, he let out. Full of contempt for the Senate, once it convenes to decide which vase you would cook a turbot. In his spare time he enjoys fly drilling with an awl, which gave occasion to Vibius Priscus , when asked if there was nobody with the Emperor, replying: "Do musca quidem" , "not even a fly", a word that cost him his life. It should however be wary of taking at face value these tales, often repeated by Suetonius whose impartiality is not the first quality. The willingness of Domitian to belittle the Senate, and the real cruelty of the means employed, earned him strong enmity among writers of the time. Trajan , who rejects the Senate's power even more strongly, but with the way, is entitled to more favorable treatment. The two emperors are continually compared in order to put forward Trajan while the latter will often rely on the work of his predecessor (eg on the Danube where the files of Domitian is a starting point for effective Trajan).
Names and titles
Names successive
- 51 , born TITVS FLAVIVS DOMITIANVS
- 69 , his father became emperor CAESAR DOMITIANVS
- 81 , accesses the Empire IMPERATOR CAESAR DOMITIANVS Avgvstvs
- 83 , he took the title of Germanicus: IMPERATOR CAESAR DOMITIANVS Avgvstvs GERMANICVS
Titles and magistrates
- Consul in 71 and 73 , 75 , 76 , 77 , 79 , 80 , 82 , 84 , 85 , 86 , 87 , 88 , 90 , 92 , 95
- Pater patriae in 82
- Pontifex maximus in 82
- Perpetual censor from 85
- Acclaimed Imperator in 82 , 83 , 84 , 85 , 86 , 88 , 89 , 92 , 79 , 81
- Holds the power tribunician from 81 , renewed annually on September 14 , the day of his accession.
Titulary to his death
When he was assassinated in 96 his title was:
- IMPERATOR CAESAR DOMITIANVS Avgvstvs GERMANICVS, PONTIFEX MAXIMVS, TRIBVNICIAE potestatis XV XXII IMPERATOR, CONSVL XVII Pater Patriae
References
- The brother of Vespasian
- Suetonius , Lives of the Twelve Caesars, Vitellius, XV.
- title he maintained even after the death of his father 79
- . She had apparently fallen in love with the actor he Pris that Domitian is then run
- by the decisive victory of Mount Graupius ( 83 ) against the Caledonians , which secures Britain for decades
- Patrick Receiver, Optimus Princeps, the reign of Domitian, magazine Vae Victis, No. 68, May-June 2006.
- He had learned the art of war deep in his marble palace
- . The latter has also been unlucky, a flood of Rhine have prevented the Chatti to link up with his troops.
- who had participated in the revolt of 89.
- : and he was buried alive a vestal virgin who had a lover, which is highly appreciated by the Romans
- Encyclopaedia Universalis , Thesaurus Index article Domitian, pp 1044-1045, 1990
- Suetonius , Lives of the Twelve Caesars, Domitian, XXIII.
Bibliography
Domitian (in "Lives of the Twelve Caesars" by Suetonius) is available on Wikisource.
- Receiver Patrick, Optimus Princeps, the reign of Domitian, magazine Vae Victis, No. 68, May-June 2006.
- Encyclopaedia Universalis , Thesaurus Index article Domitian, pp 1044-1045, 1990
- C. The Halls of Flavian Rome, Perrin, 2002
See also
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