Life of Emperor Domitian #11 - The Last Flavian, Roman History Documentary Series 

Dovahhatty was right to make Domitian a chad

Although Domitian was unquestionably a cruel man, he was still a very competent emperor. One thing that also should be said that is overlooked in the video, is that in his times Romans actually expand into Germania, conquering Agri Decumates, that is South-western Germany.

Domitian was right to disdain the senate. They had proven themselves to be a treacherous lot time and time again. From what I've read about Domitian, he doesn't sound like a guy who was interested in playing politics with them; afterall, he was emperor. He probably thought that he could and should set everything right, all the scheming senators be damned. He ended up making lots of wealthy enemies by going that route, and it cost him his life. Was he pretentious with his titles, and cruel and sadistic towards his political enemies? Sure. However, his administrative policies and building projects made him popular with the common folk, and the involved manner in which he governed, especially his economic reforms, shows that he genuinely cared about improving the lives of his people. But the senatorial class writes the histories... Overall, I'd say he ranks among the top ten emperors. Aurelian and Augustus are at the top of the list, in terms of sheer talent.

Very underrated figure. Domitian took serious steps to curb corruption throughout the empire.

I would say Domitian was a pretty okay emperor. For one, he was an amazing administrator who gave the empire sound governance. Heck, he may not have even persecuted Christians personally (there may have been some persecutions, but Domitian himself may have had very little, if anything, to do with them...at least according to Brian W. Jones' book, titled the Emperor Domitian). As for the Agricola thing, Domitian may have told Agricola to withdraw on the grounds that Caledonia may not have been easy to control, not because of jealousy as Tacitus says. That being said, Domitian's mistake was to antagonize the senate, who gave us an unflattering portrait of the man. Also, according to Brian W. Jones' book, Domitian did not like being called Lord and God as Domitian did NOT seem to see himself as a god, but he just let the flatterers at court call him that. Also, I would say the Flavians, and Domitian in no small part, paved the way for the Five Good Emperors. Feel free to disagree.

Domitian and Hadrain are extremely similar IMO. Only Hadrain had the ability to see the downfall of Domitian and was smart enough to have learned how/why people wanted his downfall.

If Domitian had lived a couple hundred years later, him being "dominus et deus" would've fit perfectly within the Dominate period that Diocletian helped usher in. So in a way he's quite the pioneer who foreshadowed how emperors would rule later in the empire's history.

The man responsible in setting the foundation for Pax Roma

As always great in depth presentation!! Domitian was so eager to be regarded and placed on the same level as Titus and Vespasian (who he secretly envied) that he became a maniac of bureaucracy and administration studying Augustus and Tiberius administrative edicts (compensating in my opinion his lack of military campaign competence). Surely one of my favorite figure during his period has to be the glorious Agricola! I must add Cornelius Fuscus too (he was really bold and a daring commander). Domitian fell victim of a plot masterminded by courtiers, secretaries, few senators and his wife. He ended up being killed by some of the obscure liberti and equestrian figures he had brought in the imperial court throughout his years of solitude, suspicion and paranoia. A sad end to the the great Flavian dynasty!

Domitian and this channel are underrated

Domitian is called "tyrant" and underrated because unlike his successors he didn't suck up to the patricians in the Senate. He was IN Rome and watched during the chaos after Nero's death and the succession of usurpers who came after them. What did he see? A senate who was willing to grovel at a new emperors feet and was, the next day, willing to damn that same man's memory. I understand his contempt for the Roman Senate. They did what governments today do. They protected the titled and wealthy at the expense of everyone else. Two of my favorite episodes in Roman history...1) Diocletian sidelines and completely ignores the Senate in his reorganization of the administration...2) Constantine calls the Praetorian Guard to assemble and fires the lot of them.

A glorious and wise ruler is what he was. Respect ✊🏻

A once again high quality presentation, a fascinating and bloody life and a source of inspiration for us, wargamers, with the wars against the Dacians in particular...Great vid!

Jolly good video. I think he was certainly a good emperor and was probably a bit paranoid as well. Because the sources combine the emperor's personnality into being part and parcel of their reign and the senatorial sources view the fortunes of the empire, not as we see it but as how the emperor got along with the senate rather than as a whole Domitian is always the tyrant. The question is was he an enlightened despot or a wicked tyrant, I am inclined toward the former. Thank you very much for the call out, I appreciate it. Have you seen my set of videos about Augustus?

The nature and life of an emperor has always been made by historians. Domitius ends up in the same web as Commodus or Nero, as despot and maniac. I see through this beautiful video that there were problems with the Dacians, something that Emperor Trajan was going to solve. However, he is an emperor that we try to read and understand who he was.

A tyrant or a good emperor? Simply put, yes. Domitian was the one and only emperor to ever end inflation. Marcus inherited an economical stability that straight up enabled him most of his successes.

Excellent as always

I just found this video. It got lost in my recommendations when it came out.

mixed is the word for him, a coin has two sides, thus two sides are every story

My problem with the opinion that Domitian was paranoid and thus purged members of the senate is that he was, in fact, murdered. Therefore wasn't he right to be paranoid?

Some lists have him as a top-ten emperor. You couldn't tell that from this video. Would be good to have pros and cons for this statement. Thanks.

Great video, love your content. I´m so hyped for the five good emperors. In my opinion Domitian was an average emperor. The seeds for glory in rome were already in place since Augustus, and the Flavians simply restructured the financial system of the Empire. Keep up the great work!

Domitian is remembered chiefly for his supposed debauchery and his policy of encouraging and rewarding anyone who was prepared to denounce anyone else for treason. Bearing in mind the machinations of a self-serving and ambitious senate, this paranoia seems to have been well founded. His rather good administration of the Empire seems to have been air-brushed from history, perhaps by the very Senate that he held such disdain for. One can't help wondering whether the Senate portrayed him as a tyrant after his assassination because he had the measure of them. He knew how corrupt and self-serving the Senate was and treated them accordingly. Then again, there's no smoke without fire so perhaps he was up there with Caligula, Nero, Commodus and Caracalla. Anyway, an excellent film. Thank you.

Domitian since the year 70 banned the sacrifice of oxen and found blood sacrifices distasteful paving the way for Christianity. He collected the Fiscus Judaicus rigorously which prompted the Christians to separate from the Jews and Jewish Christians. As records of his reign were destroyed we do not know what dealings he had with Christians but it seems that there was persecution of them at least at a local level.

Sounds like he did OK for 15 years. That's a relatively long time as Emperors go. And back then somebody was always plotting against them.

Superb podcast. Thank-you

Interesting.

I rely on the assessment of the renowned Will & Ariel Durant who describe his reign, ""...for the last of the Flavians , like many of the Julio-Claudians, began like Gabriel and ended like Lucifer." (p289 'Cesar and Christ' by Will Durant). Ironically his fear (paranoia?) of assassination led him to commit numerous atrocities which sealed his fate. So the thing he feared the most, he literally invited due to his own conduct! Domitian's legacy may be an age old lesson, 'We are our own worst enemies'.

Great job!

Now play the Ginyu Force theme song.

thank you

Hi, I just discovered your channel recently. Awesome vids. Keep up the good work!

Voice is hard to understand. It should be remastered.

Do the words dominate and so on originate from Domitian? I have always wondered this.

I think that Domitian and Tiberius were the ones who misunderstood because of their deeds rather than their administrative legacies

From what I've gathered from numerous sources, it appears the consensus now on Domitian and Agricola, is that Domitian pulled him back Caledonia not out of jealousy, but out of necessity. The Danube frontier had legitimately become under threat from Decebalus, king of Dacia and protecting Moesia was far more important than trying to conquer the unprofitable northern section of Britannia. This is further backed by evidence indicating that Domitian did ask Agricola to take up offices again, including against Dacia, but Agricola refused due to health issues, using his friends to plead his case to the emperor. Given that he died at a relatively young age, even back then, this seems at least somewhat plausible. One article I read suggested that Agricola had burned himself out with all his campaigning and had to retire for his health and that, despite Domitian's recorded paranoia, the two retained a solid friendship even after the campaigns in Scotland. Assuming that Domitian did recall Agricola, not due to Dacia and the concerns in Moesia, but due to the general's success, that doesn't mean his decision was necessarily a bad one regardless. A successful general was the biggest risk to an emperor's position as was displayed throughout Rome's history. Domitian's own father had become emperor for this very reason, so recalling Agricola and compelling him to retire would have still be a wise political move and exceedingly more merciful than how other general's managed their generals, which also goes against his supposed merciless image.

Domitian is definitely a "not guilty" in reasonable doubt framework...too much desire from contemporary sources to skew the narrative, but that's history in a nutshell...I have really been impressed with the quality and effort of these, wish you could go into even more detail, honestly lol but well done!!

Seems like for a majority of Roman history, day to day life for Romans in Italy and the original provinces was indeed peaceful. Pretty much all the chaotic stuff Rome is remembered for happened amongst the elite and the Emperors.

Interesting to find out his errors in governance.

Great video for the life of Domitian. However at 1:53, for the marching route of Mucianus, I think he should arrive in Rome from northern Italy because he defeat invading Dacian force in Moesia.

I love ❤️ n all your videos that you mention the sources from the old days had their own narratives so we will never truly know what really happened. Watching narratives in real time unfold it really does prove history is written by the victors

If the Senators were unhappy, it only means that Domition, like previous Emporers, was keeping the reins tight on the Optimates and keeping them honest(if that was even possible). So like with each of the Julians, casting the epethet of "Tirant"! was the common position of the rich, But you won't find much negative said by the Plebs. When ever the Empirer announced massive building programs in the municipaledies, the Plebs were happy because there were lots of jobs in supporting the projects and money spread across all levels of society

Very balanced informed and open minded account of this troubling second son. No doubt you enjoy the stories of his tormenting the elite in for example the "Black" dinner party. He is quite a Trumpian figure. Not expected ever to attain the purple but with an insider/outsiders knowledge and contempt for how it worked. Who wanted to "shake things up" when he got there against the odds, but then made poor judgments or so the Agricola plausibly advocates. I'd be fascinated by your take on Hadrian.

I think he was an emperor that was given a relatively stable Empire, so his rule is largely uneventful, I do have to wonder if his earnest assuming of the Imperial office is due to his lack of imperial opportunity otherwise? He wasn’t groomed for the Imperial position, always living in Titus’ shadow, maybe he saw a rare opportunity to claim a position that he never excepted to be so redials available? Just my 2 cents love the vids keep it up!

Link to Eastern Roman History: ru-vid.com/show-UCGRhKKPf80FgqDS-qStL0WQ Previous video on Titus: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-G0SqKWx14TE.html

Domitian ordered the grape vines of the city of Philadelphia destroyed because that city was a big rival of Rome in wine. Philadelphia's economy was devastated because of it.

I find when there are people hating and saying horrible things about someone without a ton of evidence to back it up, I'm a little dismissive about the accusations. The more someone hates you the more the person is going to try and paint you as a horrible person.

Domitian seems like his character was a bit maligned by those he disdained, since he seemed to be a good administrator, but he was also poorly suited to get along with the rest of the government, which was the source of all the paranoia and anger.

History’s most infamous micromanager.

Emperor Justinian was an lllyrian/ Dardan/ Albanian, and the Byzantium was an Illyrian Empire! Emperor Constantin was an lllyrian/ Albanian, and the Byzantium was an Illyrian Empire! Komnenians Dinasty was Illyrian/ Albanian! Alexander the Great was Illyrian/Albanian! The history must be rewritten!

No. Domitian demanded to be worhipped on penalty of death. This is why he persecuted christians. ALL historical sources agree on this point .

Did people in the old world keep large historical records that historians today use to make these historical videos ? I always wonder how all these detailed videos are produced on the ancient world.

😅 Now some special bonus facts: the local Richard B. Littlenutte (affectionately known as “Little Dickie” by those affiliated with the tool time scene). Their significant numbers however, (the woe of many a tortured nerd and nerdette) lead to the school being unaffectionally labeled “That F*ckin’ Tool Box” was home to senior Tool Chad had a little known younger brother who was team captain of the high school football team and matched, nay many a geek would say surpassed, his older douche brother. When the two brothers would make the scene on a Saturday night at the local burger joint, the irritated occupants whispered amongst themselves: “watch out, it’s about to get Tool Time up in this B”. PS. This just in: Both brothers would later die in a drunken cow tipping accident. Witnesses present reported that at least they died in each others arms.

Do we have any more information on his assassination. It sounds almost that his death was the result of a domestic situation, rather than a conspiracy. It is ironic that his household was not the subject of mass execution as earlier in his reign I believe Domitian had sanctioned just that when one of the slaves in a nobleman's house murdered their master. This was the traditional punishment, but in this case proved to be unpopular with the crowd and may have given rise to the accusation of cruelty which, coming from any Roman of the period, must be a case of pot calling the kettle black. I would also like to know a little more about Agricola being sidelined.

Domitian was the emperor who sent the apostle John to the island of Patmos. The invisible hand of God was behind it all. There, on Patmos, John received the the revelation of Jesus Christ. Historically an excellent program. But, why did his brother Titus have such a short period of reign?

The people saying he's average are nuts. It was his administration which enabled the peace of the second century and he held office longer than anyone since Tiberius. He was a conscientious and adaptable emperor who (mostly) rejected expansionist warfare, strengthened the Empire's borders, and maintained Roman coinage at a standard it would never again achieve. And he did all of this while building more than any emperor before him save Augustus AND increasing legionary pay. He didn't even kill or exile all that many senators, and was more likely than anyone before him to advance an official simply on the basis of being good at his job. Titus and Vespasian, although able and conscientious as well, were both horrible nepotists. "Average" pfft lmao

They say he was an autocrat but then that is the role of an emperor. Yes he went a bit ahead of himself sadly. Though he never received the same love and attention from his father in the years he grew up as his brother Titus. I would say the Flavian dynasty was a necessary strict rule to pave the way for the good emperors of Rome.

The 8 good emperors

Domitian was an average Emperor. The empire was prospering because of what his predecesors have done. He didn't face any major crisis.

the narrative is difficult to listen to, but otherwise it's an excellent post

I guess these "Early Triumphs" Domitian celebrated, were partially influenced by his father who also knew how to put himself in favorable light

Excellent work. An uninvited suggestion from someone who spent many years in public speaking. Speak more slowly. When you speak, you know already what you mean to say. All we have is the sounds we hear. Your accent makes it even more important to slow down a little, although I give this advice to native speakers just as much. It might make your very fine videos just a little bit better.

Accent of narrator is difficult in to understand.

He was a Competent Emperor, not great such as Trajan nor terrible such as Caligula.

I don't think Domitian was quite the ogre subsequent historians have made him out to be, but neither would I put him in the same group with the "five good emperors." I am interested in his rebuilding of Rome, much of which still bore the marks of the Great Fire. Also, the palace on the Palatine Hill, was it built on earlier foundations or was it completely new. Good site, yours.

I think that Domitian's rush to throne when his bigger brother was not even death and trying to issue the crowning to Emperor before burials honors would suggest power hungry tyrant, even if fuelled by anger of the writer because he mistreat his father and by doing that also halted Roman expansion in Germany probably due to jealousy and he tried so hard to been seen as war hero

what plaza is depicted in 5:37?

Domitian seems to have suffered from narcissism and ego ingratiation as an end in itself. Desperate to be liked as Titus. I believe he was cruel for these reasons but probably got a bad press by senate aristocrats who didn't like being relegated to oblivion in legislating for the Empire. In the end its?Seems Domitian was done in by his own narcissism and paranoia as much as the hatred he engendered among seantors.

A bit off topic but why do you have a picture of Julian the apostate as your profile pic? Are you Hellenic or anti christian?

No need to pass judgment since none of us were there. Normal people today cannot really relate as to how Roman empire worked two thousand years ago since so many things were different. There was not really a democracy we know today, nor economy, no warfare. So much was different that most people today would be totally lost in old Rome. Most of information about Rome is lost and people feel there is a need to fill that gap with two thousand years late judgement, which by default cannot be accurate, nor will any real historian ever take into serious account judgments passed two thousand years later. The point really is to read and reread old sources. Those who pass judgement try to present themselves as a authorities on Roman Empire. So passing judgement is more about the ego of the one who passes it than anything else. Historical figures were never a black and white figures that the normal person with subjective views wish to portray them as today based on their preferences. Was he good or was he bad, that is almost always a cheap, one sided view that tells more about the person who passes it, the political system he lives in, his own preferences, his hopes and fears than about Domitian himself. Best historians go for primary sources and don't think of themselves as authorities but as compendiums of knowledge which can and must be contradictory. The reason for contradictions is always communication of information we get today, the sources we get info from are not one person, but different persons with different views, and they should be respected because they were there and you weren't so you can never know about the topic as they did even if they were subjective. Do you think you aren't? Go for primary sources alone and learn them by heart, but don't pass judgement since it can easily lead to losing sight of primary sources. To be a historian you must know historiography.

Pliny the younger would disagree with many of your views.

Usually people who usurp power from family tend to be pretty shit at long term rule… but this is a nice exception.

I wanted to learn more about this guy ...but the narrator is so boring sounds I fell asleep...someone tell this guy that this is RU-vid not a 7th grade history class

The Christians were the only ones who refused to accept him as lord and god and that is why they were severely punished

very good material, but the locution is terrible

Very disapointed in the lack of mention of his wife Domitia Longina.

Domitian loved his Roman war dogs

Rome's nickname: engulf and devour. Pax Romana: meaning the utter subjugation of any other nations weak enough not to be able to resist... Not much has changed.,.

I think Domitian was a very good emperor but like Nero, the senate and all aristocrats wrote the history after their deads and made a lot of false bad things up so everybody would think bad of them. Most assassinated emperors were not bad but were hated by the senate bc they didn't trust them and the senate was still very powerful and that is why they got assassinated. Nero and Domitian were actually very good emperors. Nero was even very loved and popular by 90% of the empire. The only two very bad emperors where Caligula, Commodus and Dianus Julianus I

Leah Lipps Michael Doukas 7

Domitian proclaimed himself God and Emperior. exit the Flavians

When leaders were responsible with their life...now only...🐽🐔

Augustus- the based one Tiberius - the sadistic one Caligula - the pure evil one Claudius - the mushroom one Nero - the pathetic one Galba - the old one Otho - the short lasting one Vitellius - the fat one Vespasian - the Jew fighting one Titus - the Coliseum one Domitian - the fly stabbing one

Was Domitian a closet homosexual?? Seems we saw a video where this topic was touched upon. Would make sense.

Difficult to understand. What a pity!

Hmm, I prefer Domitianus

Stop asking stupid questions. How would we know better than people that were there 2000 years ago

Every Biblical Dictionary states that it was Emperor Domitian who persecuted Christians and had the Apostle John exiled to the island of Patmos! John himself says that he was on the isle of Patmos for having proclaimed the Word of God (Rev. 1:9).

Yoor diction is much to hasty and hoppering in saccades. You should take some lections in diction and some Valium before aggressing yoor microphone

Can someone pleeeeease re-narrate this, maybe without a mouth full of rocks and spit, yeesh. What're you tring to say there buddy ?

The narrator has terrible accent and he mumbles.