-81 AD- Titus had died, so his younger brother, Domitian, was now princeps.
-It's highly possible that historical sources are heavily biased against Domitian, especially by later historians due to his aggressive persecution of Christians.
-However, 20th century historians have been less harsh, pointing out that while he was certainly an autocrat, he seems to have been more efficient and rational than some of the previous emperors.
-Domitian was born in 51 AD, a son of Vespasian and younger brother of Titus.
-Because Titus was older, Vespasian naturally began to prep his as his heir to the throne.
-He grew up with his mom and sister (Domitilla the Younger) in Rome and was kind of a loner.
-Allegedly liked to spend time stabbing flies with pens (haha).
-He was also in Rome during all the chaos leading up to Nero's suicide and the turmoil of 69 AD.
-It was probably obvious to Domitian that loyalty didn't mean shit and power could shift at the drop of a hat.
-During the chaos he was placed under house arrest by Vitellius during Vespasian's rebellion.
-During the siege of Rome, soon after his uncle (Vespasian's brother) Sabinus was killed Domitian was snuck out of the palace dressed as an Isis cult member.
-Before his dad arrived in Rome, Domitian was technically supposed to rule in Vespasian's place until his father could take over, as Titus was also with Vespasian during this time. However, Domitian was overshadowed by Mucianus, and it was here that Domitian probably grew to hate the Senate and bureaucrats, recognizing that they were usually just blowhards with no real power.
-When his father officially became princeps, Domitian craved respect and wanted to join the legions, and actually ended up convincing his dad to let him do so! However, although he was sent to command troops to crush the Batavian revolt, it ended before he got there! He then tried to join the legions in Germania, but was ignored.
-Domitian was stuck. He was shut out of political and military power, and Vespasian seemed to not give a shit, only focusing on Titus.
-Thus, Domitian just spent most of his time in the palace reading and writing.
-However, it does appear that Titus tried to make an effort to include Domitian in stuff like political offices and stuff.
-70 AD- married Domitia Longina, youngest daughter of Corbulo. This was a great match betcause Domitia's family hated Nero and this solidified the Flavians as a truly anti-Nero dynasty.
-Surprisingly, they actually were in love and seemed like a happy couple!
-When Titus became princeps, though, Domitian continued to be snubbed in terms of moving up in political power.
-It's here that historians begin to claim that Domitian began to grow actively spiteful of his brother and started plotting against his life.
-Of course, when Titus died, there were conspiracy theories that Domitian was somehow involved, especially since he didn't seem too shaken up by his brother's death.
-Domitian had a totally different approach to ruling as princeps than any previous emperors before him.
-All the previous emperors at least tried (or pretended to try) to have a balance of power or acknowledge the legitimacy of political entities like the Senate or the consuls.
-However, Domitian saw these institutions as inefficient at best, and dangerous at worst.
-The Republic had been dead for a century, so why pretend any other way? In his mind, what Rome truly needed was simply a powerful, enlightened dictator, and anything else was a waste of time.
-His model? Augustus. However, Domitian failed to realize that Augustus may have had all the power, but always worked hard to give the illusion that he shared his power with others, and then would privately reward those who supported him.
-Case in point- Augustus was revered as a god! Domitian, unfortunately, was not.
-Domitian's first task was to reinforce the belief that the imperial dynasties were divinely ordained, and the previous emperors were gods/demigods, including his older brother and father (which also implied that he was of divine lineage also, of course).
-He also finished construction on the Temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus, as well as the Arch of Titus.
-He then stripped the Senate of all of its authority and input on imperial decision-making.
-Of course, this caused the elites to completely despise of him, but, of course, Domitian DGAF.
-The common people loved him for this, especially since he seemed to really want to cut out all the excess fat and corruption of the government.
-Instead of taking on senators as members of his administration, he instead took on equestrians, who otherwise would have been blocked from these posts.
-He also refused to appoint family members just because they were family, instead choosing those whom he deemed best for the job.
-Based on these changes, Domitian was actually shaping up to be a pretty good emperor!
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