Domitian (Laitin: Titus Flavius Caesar Domitianus Augustus;[2] 24 October 51 – 18 September 96) wis Roman emperor frae 81 tae 96. Domitian wis the third an last emperor o the Flavian dynasty. In his ring, the authoritarian naitur o his rule put him at shairp odds wi the senate, that's pouers he drastically curtailed.

Domitian
11t Emperor o the Roman Empire
Bust o Domitian, in the Musée du Louvre, Paris.
Ring14 September 81 –
18 September 96
PredecessorTitus
SuccessorNerva
Born24 October 51(51-10-24)
Roum
Dee'd18 September 96(96-09-18) (aged 44)
Roum
BuirialRoum
Wife
Issueson (80-83)
Full name
Titus Flavius Domitianus
(frae birth tae 69);
Titus Flavius Caesar Domitianus (frae 69 tae accession);
Titus Flavius Caesar Domitianus Augustus (as emperor);
Imperator Caesar Domitianus Augustus Germanicus
(imperial name)[1]
DynastyFlavian
FaitherVespasian
MitherDomitilla

Domitian haed a minor an lairgely ceremonial role in the rings o his faither an brither. Efter the daith o his brither, Domitian wis declared emperor bi the Praetorian Gaird. His 15-year ring wis the langest syne that o Tiberius.[3] As emperor, Domitian strenthened the economy bi revaluin the Roman coinage, expandit the mairch defenses o the empire, an ineetiatit a massive biggin programme tae restore the damaged ceety o Roum. Signeeficant wars war focht in Breetain, whaur his general Agricola attemptit tae conquer Caledonie (Scotland), an in Dacia, whaur Domitian wis unable tae procure a decisive veectory against keeng Decebalus. Domitian's govrenment exhibitit strang authoritarian chairactereestics; he saw himsel as the new Augustus, an enlichtened despot destined tae guide the Roman Empire intae a new era o brilliance. Releegious, militar, an cultural propaganda fostered a cult o personality, an bi nominatin himsel perpetual censor, he socht tae control public an private morals. As a consequence, Domitian wis popular wi the fowk an airmy, but conseedert a tyrant bi members o the Roman Senate.

Domitian's ring cam tae an end in 96 whan he wis assassinatit bi coort offeecials. He wis succeedit the same day bi his advisor Nerva. Efter his daith, Domitian's memory wis condemned tae oblivion bi the Roman Senate, while senatorial authors sic as Tacitus, Pliny the Younger, an Suetonius propagatit the view o Domitian as a cruel an paranoid tyrant. Modren reveesionists insteid hae chairacterised Domitian as a ruthless but efficient autocrat that's cultural, economic, an poleetical programmes providit the foondation o the peacefu seicont century.

References eedit

  1. Domitian's regal name haes an equivalent meaning in Scots as "Commander Caesar Domitian, the Emperor, Conqueror o the Germans".
  2. In Clessical Laitin, Domitian's name would be inscribed as TITVS FLAVIVS CAESAR DOMITIANVS AVGVSTVS.
  3. cf. Roman Emperor (Principate) awtho several came within a year or twa o 15-year rings, the closest rings to 15 years bein Claudius' an Nero's, an it wis suin tae be surpassed bi Trajan's