The Roman Series: Who was Emperor Domitian?
On 24 October 51, Domitian was born in Rome. He was the youngest son of Titus Flavius Vespasianus - known as Vespasian - and Flavia Domitilla Major. He had one older sister, Domitilla the Younger and a brother also named Flavius Vespasianus. Childhood Domitian was not educated at court. He displayed considerable marksmanship with the bow and arrow. He was tall, with a modest expression. His eyes were large, but his sight was somewhat dim. He was handsome and graceful too. He received the education of young man of the privileged senatorial class, he studied rhetoric and literature. Domitian could quote important poets and writers such as Homer or Virgil on appropriate occasions. He was described as learned and educated. Among his first published works were poetry as well as writings on law and administration. The Year of the four emperors On 9 June 68 , Nero committed suicide and with him the Julio-Claudian dynasty came to an end. Chaos occurred and it led to a year of brutal civi