On this day in Ancient History September 14
Sunday September 14, 2008
The Triumph of Titus, by Lawrence Alma-Tadema, Oil on canvas, 1885
At the front in white is Vespasian as the pontifex maximus. Behind him are Domitian and Domitia Longina followed by Titus in religious garb. Public Domain. Courtesy of Wikipedia.
Domitian (October 24, 51 - September 18, 96) became emperor on this day in A.D. 81. Domitian was the second son of Vespasian and the last of the three emperors in the Flavian Dynasty. His long rule ended in assassination. He was unpopular enough with the senatorial class that his memory was obliterated (damnatio memoriae), which contrasts sharply with his brother's posthumous deification. Domitian's reputation, which was dragged down by contemporary writers Suetonius, Pliny the Younger, and Tacitus, is undergoing rehabilitation because even if tyrannical, he strengthened the Roman currency, built border defenses, and helped rebuild Rome.The next emperor was Nerva, an advisor of Domitian's, who was 65 at accession and only ruled until 98.
This was also the day the golden-mouthed John Chrysostom died.
Comments
I love your site! I have been interested in mythology since childhood and my favorite reading has always been about history
and mythology. I particularly admire the work of Robert Graves, who made the Greek Myths clear to readers with his translations and sequences of myths. Keep up the good work!