Emperors of Rome |The Last Flavians: Titus and Domitian (Lecture 19)

Lecture 19: Titus was relatively young (only 38) when he came to power. But unlike his young predecessors, he had plenty of military and administrative experience and was well known to his soldiers. His reign, however, was unnaturally brief and marked by the eruption of Vesuvius on 24 August 79. Titus’s response to the crisis suggests that he was a conscientious and caring ruler, although there are some indications that had he lasted longer in power, matters may have taken a downward spiral. His brother and successor, Domitian, was not so fortunate. Once more, a young and inexperienced man held the reins of power.

His autocratic impulses meant that relations with the Senate deteriorated sharply and rapidly, leading to the now-familiar pattern of rising paranoia on the part of the emperor. Domitian made the right moves with the provincial troops, leading them against the Germans, but they were insufficient to save him from assassination in 96.

Essential Reading:
Cassius Dio, Roman History, books 66–67.
Josephus, The Jewish War, books 4–6.
Suetonius, Titus, Domitian.
Tacitus, Agricola.

Supplementary Reading:
DIR, “Titus,” “Domitian.”
Jones, The Emperor Titus.
Southern, Domitian: Tragic Tyrant.