How Paranoia And Pride Made Domitian One Of The Worst Roman Emperors
Richard Mortel/Wikimedia CommonsDomitian’s reign was promising in the beginning, but things quickly soured.
Like some of the other worst Roman emperors, Domitian’s rule started off promising. He was the son of Vespasian, a general and emperor who brought much needed stability to Rome following Nero’s assassination. But power would eventually bring out the worst in him.
Born in 51 C.E. as Titus Flavius Domitianus, Domitian came to power in 81 C.E. after his older brother, Titus, fell ill and died. (Titus’ last words, “I have made but one mistake,” led some Roman historians to speculate that he regretted not killing Domitian when he had the chance.)
At first, however, Domitian was a good and fair emperor. Like his father, he focused on restoring Rome after several hard years. He refreshed public buildings, built new palaces, and arranged public games, which took place in the newly constructed Colosseum. He also went after “immoral” behavior, and he even had one Vestal Virgin buried alive for committing incest.
Steerpike/Wikimedia CommonsDomitian began his reign by tending to many of Rome’s needs, but he was soon consumed by paranoia and pride.
But as time passed, Domitian became paranoid, greedy, and prideful. He feared betrayal to such an extent that he had the corridor where he took his walks lined with reflective moonstones so that he could see who was approaching at all times. He approved of barbaric interrogation techniques like cutting off prisoners’ hands and had many leading Roman citizens, including 12 former consuls, executed.
Domitian also fancied himself a god. Like Commodus, he renamed months after himself — September became Germanicus and October Domitianus. But like Commodus, Domitian would meet a mortal end.
In 96 C.E., he was stabbed to death by conspirators who had worked with his wife. Domitian’s paranoia was not so misplaced, after all.