-January 1, 89 AD- two legions in Germania Superior, led by the provincial governor Lucius Antonius Saturninus, refused to renew their paths to Domitian, so the stability of the empire was once again in jeopardy. It's also possible that there was a wider conspiracy as well with other senators.
-This rebellion echoed Vitellius' revolt 20 years earlier.
-However, unlike Galba, the legions loved Domitian.
-Because of this, the uprising was easily quelled by Labius Maximus, governor of Germania Inferior. However, all of Saturninus' records were burned, so any possible evidence of a wider conspiracy was lost.
-All we do know is that Saturninus had allegedly struck a deal with the Chatti tribe to conbine forces and take on Domitian. The Chatti were to cross where the Rhine was frozen; however, there was an early thaw, so during this time the Chatti were stuck on the German side of the river.
-In response to the rebellion, Domitian had not only ordered Maximus to attack Saturninus, but had also moved north himself with his own Praetorian army.
-He also ordered a legion from Hispania Terraconense to march towards Germania Superior.
-This legion was led by Marcus Ulpius Traianus (AKA future princeps Trajan!).
-Anyway, because the Chatti had been unable to cross the Rhine, Saturninus' plans were fucked. Thus, he ended up surrendering to Maximus.
-Saturninus and his officers were executed, and Saturninus' legions were relocated to the province of Pannonia.
-Maximus was then given the governorship of Syria, while Trajan was given the consulship in 91 AD (he would also go on to be a governor of either Pannonia or Germania Superior, it's unclear which one).
-90 AD- Domitian appointed himself consul and appointed as his co-consul a dude named Marcus Cocceius Nerva (future princeps Nerva).
-Kind of a mystery as to why Nerva was chosen, as he was a bit of a dark horse candidate.
-He had played a major role in exposing the Pisonian conspiracy during Nero's reign, so maybe that had something to do with it?
-Nerva bio:
-Born in 30 AD to a prominent family of the Italian peninsula (not nobility, however).
-Grandfather had connections with Tiberius and had spent time in Capri ;)
-Father had served as consul under Caligula.
-Nerva himself never seemed to actively pursue power, instead preferring to work behind the scenes as a loyal adviser. He was also loved by Nero.
-Friends with Vespasian.
-Sister was married to Otho's brother, but surprisingly Nerva stayed loyal to Vespasian, not Otho.
-Named consul in 71 AD, which was usually reserved for a member of the imperial family, so this was a big deal.
-Nerva was a powerful member of the political scene during the Flavian dynasty, even if it was not officially documented in the chronicles at the time.
-Doesn't officially pop up until 90 AD (when he is appointed as Domitian's co-consul).
-Anyway, Saturninus' rebellion seemed to be the last straw for Domitian, finally pushing him into full paranoia mode, which only grew worse over time.
-It was this period in which Domitian's bad reputation really stems from.
-However, Domitian had every right to be paranoid, and even he knew that he was spinning out of control. Unfortunately, he felt that he had no choice to be ruthless, so it was around this time that he brought back the "treason trials" (i.e. purges) that had previously been outlawed by Titus.
-Eventually began to confiscate the property of the executed and exiled, which wasn't a good look.
-96 AD- the beginning of Domitian's downfall.
-Court officials began conspiring against him, believing that if they didn't do something ASAP then they were doomed.
-This conspiracy was allegedly formed after Domitian executed an ex-slave of Nero's who had helped Nero escape the palace and commit suicide, claiming that this slave hadn't been "loyal enough" even though he had served the princeps for years.
-The conspirators included Parthenius (Domitian's chamberlain), Maximus (Parthenius' ex-slave), and Stephanus (a steward of Flavia Domitilla, Domitian's niece), and maybe some others, but it's unclear.
-The legend is that Domitian was told by a seer that he would die around lunchtime, so he always got antsy arouind that time and would always ask what time it was until the hour passed.
-However, on the day of his assassination, one of his servants lied to Domitian and said it was later than it actually was, so Domitian relaxed and was in his room. Stephanus then came in and attacked him with a knife he had sneaked in his bandaged arm and sling (he had been pretending to be injured). Domitian did end up putting up a good fight, but eventually others came in and helped stab him to death. Domitian was 45 years old, and had ruled the empire for 15 years.
-His body was then smuggled out of the palace and cremated.
-Speculation abounds as to who exactly was involved in the conspiracy, and it was definitely shady that Nerva, who was named princeps after Domitian's death, didn't really seem to work that hard to get to the bottom of who was really behind Domitian's assassination. Additionally, those who WERE caught weren't actually punished harshly at all!
-The Senate then passed a bunch of laws and decrees that tried to erase Domitian's memory completely- statues and art of Domitian was changed to look like Nerva, Domitian's name was removed from public works, etc.
-The masses (including the legions (but not including the officers)), however, were pissed! They had really loved Domitian!
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