On This Day in Ancient History - Domitian Came to Power

On this day in Ancient History - September 14:

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.

• Domitia and Domitian, by David Corson, reviewed by Irene Hahn

This was also the day the golden-mouthed John Chrysostom died.

On this day in Ancient History - September 14