Early Roman Empire, Flavian Dynasty (69-96): Domitian; Rhine-Danube Frontier [2/5], Final Years of the Dynasty

11 DOMITIAN (44; r.81.10-96.10)

Although there had been some speculation as to his part in Titus’ demise, Domitian’s accession to the throne was unchallenged. From the start his reign was autocratic, characterised by his contempt for the Senate, and the Senate in turn resented him. He habitually used his right of adlectio, which gave equestrians and provincials access to posts previously reserved for senators. In 84 he increased the pay of the army and the following year he took the censorship in perpetuity, giving him complete control of the composition of the Senate. After 88 he brought back maiestas and delatio which led to the execution, suicide or exile of many senators.

Rhine-Danube Frontier (83-92) [2/5]

The two rivers were to comprise the major part of a massive continuous line of defence (limes) that eventually extended 1500 miles (2400 kilometres) from the North Sea to the Black Sea, separating the Roman territory north of Italy from the rest of Europe. Forts were erected on the banks, and the gap between the sources of the Rhine and Danube was filled by walls of earth or stone, strengthened by forts at intervals. 

From 83 to 85 Domitian, based at Moguntiacum, waged war against the Chatti of the Taunus Hills (central-southwest Germany). He failed to achieve the great imperial victory he was seeking but was able to enlarge Roman control over the lower Main Valley and the High Taunus (the central region of the range). Along the crest of these hills he built a campaign road guarded by watchtowers and forts as part of the evolving Upper Germanic limes In 83/4 the military districts along the Rhine were converted into two regular provinces, Germania Superior (south) and Germania Inferior (north).

In winter 85/6 Decebalus of Dacia (r.87-106) invaded Moesia and killed the governor Gaius Oppius Sabinus. Domitian sent a large force under his praetorian prefect, ⁵⁹Cornelius Fuscus (fl.68-86), who used a boat bridge to cross the Danube River into Dacia. In 86 at Tapae in southwest Transylvania, Fuscus was defeated and killed with the loss of up to two of his legions. Subsequent to this, Domitian went to Moesia and divided it into two provinces, Moesia Superior (west) and Moesia Inferior (east), separated by the Ciabrus (=Tsibritsa) River west of Dolni Tsibar.

In 88 Domitian sent a fresh army under Tettius Julianus against Decebalus. Julianus led his legions across the Danube and routed Decebalus at Tapae on the plain of Caransebes in modern Romania. The Romans, however, could not exploit this success because of defeats suffered by Domitian against the Germanic Quadi and Marcomanni, so a peace was signed with the Dacians. Decebalus received money and specialists for his army, but in return he was to ensure the peace in the area of the lower Danube and allow Roman troops to pass through his territory towards the Marcomannic front.

In 89, ¹³Antonius Saturninus (fl.76-89), the governor of Germania Superior, seized the treasury of the two legions, XIV Gemina and XXI Rapax, stationed at Moguntiacum, and bribed them to proclaim him emperor. However, Bucius Lappius (fl.83-102), the commander of Germania Inferior, with the aid of the procurator of Raetia, ¹¹Flavius Norbanus, moved to the area of the revolt and quelled it. Saturninus supposedly lost his life, and with the revolt showing the danger of having large military concentrations, Moguntiacum ceased to be a double camp and XXI Rapax was sent to Pannonia.

In spring 92 a composite horde of Suebi, perhaps of the Marcomanni and Quadi, together with the Iazyges, crossed the Danube and fell upon the Roman garrisons and the provincials of Pannonia. Yet another legion, thought to be XXI Rapax, was cut to pieces. Domitian hastened to the scene and spent eight months on the Pannonian border chasing the raiders back to the northern bank.

Final years of the Dynasty (89-96)

In his earlier years Domitian was comparatively indifferent to opposition, but now, probably affected by Saturninus’ revolt and increasingly suspicious of senatorial dissent, he turned to persecution. He twice expelled philosophers from Rome, and brought seven accusations of maiestas against senators, resulting in three executions and four sentences of exile. 

Domitian was childless and this increased his own suspicion and also the hopes of prospective plotters. The two young sons of ¹²Flavius Clemens (cos.95) were Domitian’s designated heirs until he executed their father at the end of his consulship. A vicious circle now evolved with every failed plot bringing more executions which in turn led to another plot. 

Finally, the emperor’s wife, Domitia Longina (c.74; fl.71-c.128), feeling her own position insecure, joined the two praetorian prefects and some court officials in a plot to kill Domitian. On 18 September 96 a freedman, Stephanus, stabbed the unsuspecting Domitian in the groin and wrestled him to the ground until other assassins arrived and stabbed him to death. It is thought that ⁰²Cocceius Nerva (67; fl.65-98), who was installed by the Senate on the same day, was almost certainly privy to the conspiracy.