Essay
Is Emperor Domitian's reputation in modern scholarship warranted? (2000 words)
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Exam no. B2311072017 words
Analyse the reign of Domitian in an attempt to decide if their reputation in modern
scholarship is warranted. (2000 words)
Within modern scholarship, there have been many attempts to rehabilitate the reign of
Domitian, whereas in ancient sources we see historians depict the Emperor as a tyrant who
terrorised the aristocracy and senatorial class. In this essay, I will argue that his reputation in
modern scholarship as a “moderately decent man” as described by Waters1 and not different
to emperors before and after him is not warranted, though one cannot deny he had excellent
administration skills and that his reign brought stability and prosperity to the Roman empire.
Firstly, ancient historians portray Domitian as an envious sibling who showed no compassion
for his older brother’s death. Suetonius suggests that Domitian never stopped plotting against
his brother2 and that “he bestowed no honour upon him apart from deification, often assailing
his memory in ambiguous phrases”3. Dio also notes that when Titus was deified, this was the
“opposite of what he really desired”4. However, modern scholars such as Mattingly prove to
us that Suetonius’ biography contains bias. Domitian did indeed commemorate his brother
through coinage5, temples6 and inscriptions. Thus, one could argue that modern scholarship’s
view of Domitian is valid and that ancient sources seem to use his enmity with Titus as a
narrative for his cruel nature.
Scholars have argued that the presentation of Domitian in ancient sources is flawed and
exaggerated due to the bias of the writers and the disapproving nature of the aristocratic class.
1
Waters (1964), p.69
2
Suetonius, Dom. 2.2
3
Jones (1996), p. 27
4
Cassius Dio, Roman History, 67.2.6
5
Mattingly (1996) n.2.313
6
Anderson 1983: p.95–7
, Exam no. B231107
2017 words
At that time, the only way authors would gain prestige was through aristocratic patronage,
and so this attitude towards Domitian matched the views of the senatorial aristocracy.7 It is
evident that these writers showed hostility towards the Emperor, our main sources being
Suetonius, Pliny and Tacitus. Their negative portrayal of Domitian is in line with their being
in the senatorial class who all hated Domitian for pursuing his standards and placing the
senate onto the backbench. Tacitus, perhaps one of the greatest Roman historians, gives us an
insight into how Domitian ruled harshly like a tyrant despite serving the emperor loyally.
Mellor claims that Tacitus was writing with a moral meaning behind the history, and so his
hatred towards Domitian was not only subject to him but other emperors as well.8 Suetonius,
another contemporary who wrote about the emperor, is often dismissed as a reliable source.
Wilson describes him as “the most gossipy of all the Roman historians and an employee of
the Antoines”9. Despite this perception of Suetonius, he writes with a balanced view of the
Emperor, shedding light on both his positive and negative qualities. Pliny even suggests that
Suetonius was a perfectionist rather than a heedless writer10. Thus, I would argue that these
ancient works should be read with the understanding of their dislike for the emperor and that
what they wrote about him should not be invalidated.
Whether Domitian’s building programme and finances are a positive or negative aspect of his
reign is where ancient writers and modern scholars are at a crossroads. In Suetonius, the
emperor is portrayed as being a spendthrift rather than a generous person with an
overwhelming desire for extravagance and sumptuousness,11 and this is what caused future
financial difficulties for the empire. He lists how Domitian wasted finances with the opulent
restoration of buildings, hosting of games, literary competitions and feasts for his glory, and
7
Waters (1964) p. 65
8
Mellor (1993) p. 45
9
Wilson (1993) p. 595-596
10
Pliny, Epistulae 5.10.2-3
11
Suetonius, Dom. 4.1-4
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