14th September- Domitian rules!

Domitian and the 14th Sept...

Domitian- Wikimedia Commons

This very man isn't too popular in my current writing!

The 14^th September A.D. 81 was a great day for the Ancient Roman Emperor Domitian because it was the day he officially started his 15 year reign as emperor. He was the third and last of the ‘Flavian’ dynasty of emperors.

Domitian becoming emperor wasn’t a simple matter – his elder brother had to die first. As first son of the Emperor Vespasian, Titus became emperor on the death of his father in A.D. 79. Vespasian had been a strong ruler during his ten year tenure, having taken control after the tempestuous AD 69 year of the four emperors. When Vespasian came to power in A.D. 69, Titus already had a good deal of military experience and was given many important offices and duties during the reign of Vespasian. Domitian was 11 years younger than Titus and lacked his brother’s military background. Vespasian gave Domitian some honours as due his son but he wasn’t given any responsibility for the governance of the empire. 

Titus wasn’t to rule for long because by A.D 81 he was struck down by a strange and  fatal illness. The day following Titus’ death Domitian was declared the new emperor with the support of the Praetorian Guard. There was doubt as to whether Titus had been poisoned, perhaps at the hand of, or under the instruction of Domitian- though some experts think Titus probably did die of natural and unforeseen circumstances.

Domitian - Wikimedia Commons
(Venice National Archaeological Museum)

Domitian became emperor during General Agricola’s campaigns in northern Britannia. He’s not a character in my Celtic Fervour novels but he is instrumental in ordering Agricola’s withdrawal from what I name as the lands of the Taexali, of north east Scotland. For that reason he is very important in the development of my novel.

The top bust is an interesting one. The antique head dates was added to the bust in the 18th Century. (Louvre)

Slàinthe!