Domitian 51 A.D.
Background Information on Domitian

Domitian (Titus Flavius Domitianus) 51-96AD, Roman emperor (81- 96AD), son of Vespasian. Although intended as the heir to his older brother, Titus, he was given no important posts. On Titus' death he succeeded to the throne and proved himself at once proud and more absolutist than his father.

In his first years, however, he governed in the interests of order and public welfare. Except for his victory in AD;83 over the Chatti, a German tribe, Domitian's campaigns were only partially successful. He recalled (AD84) Agricola from his successful campaign in Britain, probably because he thought it would overtax the empire.

As time went on, Domitian became more despotic, particularly after the rebellion in AD89 of Antonius Saturninus, governor of Upper Germany. His despotism caused plots against him, which brought on a reign of terror during the last years of his rule.

Finally his wife, Domitia, had a freedman, Stephanus, stab him. Nerva succeeded.

Tacitus and Juvenal describe Domitian's reign of terror with bitterness, but modern historians recognisze that he governed the empire well. I have a smashing Denarius of Domitian which I purchased from Chip Vaughn, (one of the dealers with a store on vcoins) http://www.vcoins.com/
I also think this bust looks a little like Robert Key, who opens the batting for Kent. Have a look and see what you think...http://kingcricket.blogspot.com/2006/04/ones-to-watch-rob-key-kent.html

ROMAN IMPERIAL DYNASTIES:Flavian Dynasty

The words above have been edited from various sources and have a few of my own interpretations!

 

The period of my collection

• The Twelve Caesars That's the main men to you and I

The Julio Claudian Dynasty Augustus I Claudius I Nero I Agrippa

The Flavian Dynasty Vespasian I Titus I Domitian

• The Adoptive Emperors or so we're told!
• The Civil War some serious falling out between 193-197 A.D.
• The Severan Period Only five emperors in this family including the nasty Caracalla
• The Collapse of Order almost 50 years of trouble up ahead
• The Secessionist Empire it was that Postumus who set things going
• The British Secessionist Empire Carausius goes it alone
• The Tetrarchy time for the great reform
• The Constantinian Dynasty a military dictatorship and the tale of three sons
• The Waning of the Empire the last century and the end of an era
• The Western Puppet Emperors oh dear! more trouble
• The Eastern Emperors slightly more peace

I might include othe pages as I progress. Plus if you would like to share a reciprical link, please email me at info@dadscoins.co.uk

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
He was a competent general, commanding the second legion in the invasion of Britain in 43 and conquering the south-west and the Isle of Wight. He later rose in the senate to become consul in 51 and governor of Africa a decade later. He joined Nero in Greece in 66, incurring the emperor's displeasure by falling asleep during one of his recitals. This did not prevent him, however, from being put in charge of the suppression of the Jewish Revolt (66-70); by 68 most of Judaea was recovered, although Jerusalem remained to be taken. During the rapid turnover of emperors (Galba, Otho, Vitellius) following the death of Nero in 68, Vespasian quietly prepared his own bid for power. The legions of Egypt, Judaea, Syria and then the Danube all declared for him, and he sent his commander Primus ahead to secure Italy on his behalf. A major, and bloody, victory was achieved at Cremona, and Primus took Rome on 21 December 69; Vitellius had been brutally killed the day before. The senate passed a law conferring the powers of emperor on Vespasian. It is disputed whether such a law was normal, or whether it was passed now for the first time; the text still exists. Vespasian finally arrived in Rome in the late summer of 70, having left his elder son Titus in charge in Judaea; Jerusalem was taken in August 70 and its population enslaved. Vespasian's major objectives during his ten-year reign were to restore Rome's finances after Nero's reign (Rome had suffered a major fire in 64, and had been damaged in the struggle against Vitellius); to restore discipline in the army after the civil wars; and to ensure that Titus should succeed him. In all three he was successful. The immunity from taxation that Nero had given to the Greeks was revoked, and the Colosseum (or 'Flavian Amphitheatre', to be more correct) was begun on the site of the lake of Nero's 'Golden House' - thus giving this part of Rome back to the people. In Britain, Roman forces conquered northern England and advanced into Wales and Scotland. Vespasian's relations with the senate were on the whole excellent, thanks to his bluff and unassuming character and his parading of his humble origin. Tacitus observes that he was the first man to improve after becoming emperor. Vespasian died in 79, remarking, 'I think I am becoming a god!' He was succeeded by Titus, who arranged his deification. He was the first emperor to be succeeded by his son, and the first since Augustus to die a natural death (assuming that Tiberius was murdered). The dynasty that he founded, however, would be short-lived, coming to an end with the assassination of his younger son, Domitian, in 96.