Domitian (24 October 51-18 September 96) was Roman Emperor from 81 to 96, succeeding Titus and preceding Nerva.
Biography[]
Domitian was born on 2 October 51 in Rome, Italy, Roman Empire, the son of general Vespasian and younger brother of Titus. Both his father and brother would be Roman emperors, and Domitian was stuck in their shadows until he became emperor on his brother's premature death at the age of 42 in 81. He was proclaimed Emperor by the Praetorian Guard, and he expanded the border defenses of the empire while restoring the damaged city of Rome. His general Agricola attempted to conquer Scotland from the Picts, while Domitian fought against Dacian king Decebalus. Domitian led his armies and had a cult of personality, attempting to be an enlightened despot with control over public and private morals. The Roman Senate considered him to be a tyrant, and on 18 September 96 he was fatally stabbed by some servants after a struggle that left one of the assassins dead.