Yes, Domitian seduced his brother’s daughter, and he did instigate bloody treason trials against his many enemies, but I am drawn to Domitian (51-96 C.E.) because he tried to emulate Augustus. He took away much of the bloated Senate’s power, imposed more taxes, took away alcohol from Rome’s citizens, and outlawed adultery. All of these reforms particularly angered the nobility and the Senate because they were stripped of their licentious pleasures/income. However, it was probably difficult to ascend to power after the glorious reigns of his popular and well-liked predecessors: his father, Vespasian, and his strong, handsome, and war-hero brother, Titus. Where else was Domitian supposed to turn when he was the least liked Flavian and the second favorite son of the late Vespasian? Titus had been out conquering Judea, bringing riches and glory to Rome, and finishing the construction of the Colosseum (which included 100 days of games and free giveaways to the poor). Of course the masses adored Titus; any emperor after him was bound to be deemed mediocre and stingy (like Domitian). Domitian, although in the shadow of his older relatives, deified his brother and father, and even built the Arch of Titus for his deceased sibling.
View of the Arch of Titus from the Colosseum
The soldiers of Rome did not have any queries with Domitian; he “defeated” the Chatti barbarian tribe and increased the pay of the soldiers’ by 33%. Throughout the Roman Empire, it was crucial for an Emperor to gain the loyalty and confidence of his army; they could be a capricious and murderous lot if not handled with respect and preferential treatment. For me, the neatest aspect of Domitian was his “Black Banquet.” He invited nobles to his palace on the pretext that the dinner party that night would be jovial and normal; however, when the guests arrived, they found a haunting black chamber with grave markers, black food, and naked boys resembling the devil frolicking around the room. Thoroughly spooked out, the nobles were furthered alarmed when all Domitian talked about was death and later on commanded them to leave his palace with his carriages. Convinced they would face a mysterious and gruesome death, the nobles made it back to their own spacious homes safely, but with their respective gravestones and utensils covered in silver. Illustrating the old adage “what comes around goes around,” Domitian was stabbed to death by Stephano, his household servant that was egged on by Domitian’s wife.
Next, Julian the Apostate lived during the Christian Era of Constantine and his descendants. Born in 331 C.E. in Constantinople, Julian spent much of his childhood studying Greek philosophy, pagan cults, and mythology (which was completely against Christian theology). When Constantious II killed his brother, Constantious Gallus, Julian traveled up the Anatolian coast to Milan, Italy. Constantious II sent him to the German frontier to quell the Frank and Alemanni, fierce German tribes that were wreaking havoc to the Empire’s border towns. After his victories and the army’s’ pleas for Julian to accept the purple robe of Emperorship, Julian assumed an administration role in Paris. However, the die had already been cast and Julian was forced to accept the role of Emperor only months after refusing the initial request. Luckily for the young scholar, Constantious II died en route to attacking Julian, so he took the throne without too much bloodshed.
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Next, Julian the Apostate lived during the Christian Era of Constantine and his descendants. Born in 331 C.E. in Constantinople, Julian spent much of his childhood studying Greek philosophy, pagan cults, and mythology (which was completely against Christian theology). When Constantious II killed his brother, Constantious Gallus, Julian traveled up the Anatolian coast to Milan, Italy. Constantious II sent him to the German frontier to quell the Frank and Alemanni, fierce German tribes that were wreaking havoc to the Empire’s border towns. After his victories and the army’s’ pleas for Julian to accept the purple robe of Emperorship, Julian assumed an administration role in Paris. However, the die had already been cast and Julian was forced to accept the role of Emperor only months after refusing the initial request. Luckily for the young scholar, Constantious II died en route to attacking Julian, so he took the throne without too much bloodshed.
Coin of Julian
The reason I find Julian so fascinating was because he tried to reverse the tide of Christianity and make Paganism the premier religion of the Roman Empire. He tore down Christian churches and purged Christian officials (after they had recently been told to convert to the new religion by Constantine and his successors) in order to bring back the glory of a united, strong, and pagan Rome. He reopened Pagan shrines and temples, but he never outright banned Christianity (Christians just couldn’t practice law or partake in daytime rituals). In short, this period in history was violent and bloody because citizens were just switching religions to fit the political tide of the day. The Empire of Rome was falling apart from the inside out, and I admire Julian for trying to recapture the spirit of Paganism that was omnipresent during the prosperous reigns of Augustus, Trajan, Hadrian, and countless other good leaders. Julian invaded Persia in June of 363, but he was unfortunately pierced in his liver by a spear only a few months into the campaign.
Finally, everyone who knows something about Rome always states Trajan as one of their favorite Emperors. Maybe because of the victory in Dacia and the subsequent monumental Column of Trajan, or maybe because his other exotic, Alexander-the-Great-like campaigns, Trajan always gets at least a page in Roman history books. The second of the so-called “Five Good Emperors,” Trajan was actually born in the Spain; this was unusual at the time because most emperors were born and raised in Rome (or in Italy itself). Trajan was a rough war hero who could manage an army as well as the bureaucracy. His most famous military expedition was in Dacia, modern day Romania and Moldova. Defeating the unruly barbarians and their wild leader, Decebalus, Trajan brought back prisoners of war and loot to Rome for his grand triumph. He even built the Basilica Ulpia (his family name) and the Markets of Trajan to commemorate his victories in the East.
Finally, everyone who knows something about Rome always states Trajan as one of their favorite Emperors. Maybe because of the victory in Dacia and the subsequent monumental Column of Trajan, or maybe because his other exotic, Alexander-the-Great-like campaigns, Trajan always gets at least a page in Roman history books. The second of the so-called “Five Good Emperors,” Trajan was actually born in the Spain; this was unusual at the time because most emperors were born and raised in Rome (or in Italy itself). Trajan was a rough war hero who could manage an army as well as the bureaucracy. His most famous military expedition was in Dacia, modern day Romania and Moldova. Defeating the unruly barbarians and their wild leader, Decebalus, Trajan brought back prisoners of war and loot to Rome for his grand triumph. He even built the Basilica Ulpia (his family name) and the Markets of Trajan to commemorate his victories in the East.
Markets of Trajan
As well as building new roads in the Empire to facilitate his armies in a more efficient manner, Trajan invaded and annexed Armenia and Mesopotamia. Under this meteoric leader, the Roman Empire reached its fullest extent, reaching from the shores of Britannia to the borders of Persia in the East. Interestingly, Trajan’s wife, Plotina, was strangely fond of Hadrian, Trajan’s adopted son and eventual successor. Rumor has it that Trajan died of heat stroke in 117 C.E. in modern day Turkey before actually naming the heir to his throne. Through the machinations of Plotina, she secured the title of Princeps for the lover of all things Greek, Hadrian. Although the parallels between the accusations of Livia and those of Plotina are uncanny, Trajan was still an exotic and excellent Emperor for 19 years; he represented the height of Roman power as he expanded and gained dominion of ever farther lands.
Rome under Trajan
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