12 Caesars: Domitian

Domitian



Titus Flavius Domitianus was born in 51 AD, the younger of Vespasian’s two sons. He was the last of the Flavian emperors, as well as the last of Suetonius’ 12 Caesars. While his upbringing was not as privileged as Titus’ (who was educated at court), he studied rhetoric and literature during his early education, and is said to have been able to quote Homer and Virgil as appropriate, as well as engage in elegant conversation as a young adult.

Domitian was in Rome when both his father and Vitellius were heralded as emperor. Since Vitellius was in power in Rome at this time, this put Domitian in grave danger along with his uncle (Vespasian’s brother) Flavius Sabinus, who was the city prefect of Rome. Pro-Vitellius soldiers attacked Sabinus and Domitian in the Temple of Capitoline Jupiter. Sabinus was capture and killed, but Domitian managed to escape by donning a disguise and fleeing the city. A day or two later, Vespasian was hailed emperor by the Senate, so Domitian was out of any immediate danger.

In the decade following the Judaean victory, while Vespasian was emperor, Domitian played only a minor role in Rome’s government despite being named Caesar by his father. It was clear to everyone that Titus was Vespasian’s intended heir, and when Vespasian died in 79 AD, Titus was hailed emperor without opposition.

Suetonius writes that the relationship between Domitian and Titus was adversarial and contentious:

“On the death of his father he hesitated for some time whether to offer a double largess to the soldiers, and he never had any compunction about saying that he had been left a partner in the imperial power, but that the will had been tampered with. And from that time on he never ceased to plot against his brother secretly and openly, until Titus was seized with a dangerous illness, when Domitian ordered that he be left for dead, before he had actually drawn his last breath. And after his death he bestowed no honor upon him, save that of deification, and he often assailed his memory in ambiguous phrases, both in his speeches and in his edicts.”

Other historians, while acknowledging the strained relationship between the brothers, openly doubt the relationship was as bad as Suetonius describes. Similarly, historians tend to dismiss the notion that Domitian was somehow responsible for, or hastened, the death of Titus.

Domitian became emperor upon the unexpectedly early death of his brother Titus, and would reign from 81 AD – 96 AD – the longest reign of any emperor since Tiberius. His reign, as well as Domitian himself, was characterized by apparent contradictions. He believed himself to be a benevolent dictator, and openly ignored the Senate, which while not really the republican ruling body it had been prior to Julius Caesar, had at least been given some acknowledgement by previous emperors. He was autocratic and heavy-handed, somewhat paranoid, and he returned to the practice of prosecuting and putting to death his critics and opponents – a practice that had been specifically abandoned by Titus.

Modern research, however, has determined that he was a ruthless but efficient monarch who developed cultural and economic programs that would set the foundation of a very prosperous second century. Domitian was a micro-manager: he became personally and directly involved in all branches of the administration, issuing edicts that dictated the smallest detail of everyday life and law. Taxation laws and public morals were rigidly enforced; Suetonius writes:

“He administered justice scrupulously and conscientiously, frequently holding special sittingson the tribunalin the Forum. He rescinded such decisions of the Hundred Judges as were made from interested motives. He often warned the arbitersnot to grant claims for freedom made under false pretences. He degraded jurors who accepted bribes, together with all their associates.He also induced the tribunes of the commons to prosecute a corrupt aedile for extortion, and to ask the senate to appoint jurors in the case. He took such care to exercise restraint over the city officials and the governors of the provinces, that at no time were they more honest or just, whereas after his time we have seen many of them charged with all manner of offences.”

From a military perspective, his reign was relatively peaceful although he was troubled by revolts and invasions along the Rhine and Danube. He personally led the campaigns against three revolts on the Danube and one on the Rhine.

Following the failed revolts against him in 89 AD, Domitian became increasingly paranoid and punitive. More senators were executed, and he relied on spies, informants, and torture to gather information about plots against his life. By 93 AD, his despotism had become so overwhelming that few senators and noblemen felt secure in their possessions or person.

Finally, in 95 AD, a successful coup was led against him by the Praetorian Guard, some freedmen, and his wife Domitia; Domitian was killed. The Senate, buoyed by its sudden elevation back to a position of power, elected an elderly senator named Nerva to fill the Imperial seat. But when the military came to its senses, they forced Nerva to adopt a military leader (Trajan) as Nerva’s son and successor. Nerva would be the first of the so-called “five good emperors.”

About the Coins

Much of Domitian’s coins were struck while he was Caesar under his father Vespasian and under his brother Titus. Similar to Otho, Domitian wore a wig and his lush toupee is faithfully modeled on his coinage (although to my eye his toupee looks much more natural than Otho’s).

Upon his accession he revalued Roman currency: he increased the silver purity of the denariusfrom 90% to 98% — the actual silver weight increasing from 2.87 grams to 3.26 grams. But a financial crisis in 85 forced adevaluation of the silver purity and weight to 93.5% and 3.04 grams respectively. Nevertheless, the new values were still higher than the levels that Vespasian and Titus had maintained during their reigns.



Among my mint set of Domitian, the aureus with the Minerva reverse is among the most distinctive aurei reverses in my 12 Caesars collection.

Let’s see those Domitians!

Next: Small bronzes virtual tray

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

Ah the internal family intrigues in high circles! Excellent writeup, and the usual exceptional coins. Great stuff.

My followup is with a denarius from my 12 Ceasrs group that is a bit special too, I guess.


Domitian (81-84)
T. Flavius Domitianus
BMCRE -; RSC -; RIC -
variation on RIC 38 or Unlisted?
Mint of Rome


IMP CAES DOMITIANVS AVG P M
(reading up from left)

bare, laureate bust right

Really not sure what to make of this piece, so I thought I would post it here. There is nothing particularly exceptional about the features of the obverse.

COS VII DES VIII P P
This is a variant example from the third issue for Domitian. It has the reverse inscription of BMCRE #10, but with the reverse type of #22; (tripod with fillets streaming out l and r, on which is a dolphin, as on no. 4) This combination of reverse inscription and reverse type is not listed in any of the standard references. It is a close variant of BMCRE #10 for Domitian, so I have dated it to the same time frame.

On that last one, tell me what you think from your experience with these. This combination is unknown in BMC and RSC. In the new RIC vol II it is a variant of #38, I think.

 

That aureus is simply stunning.

Here are 2 unusual denarii of Domitian.


As mentioned above by @IdesOfMarch01 Domitian was the son of Vespasian. He became emperor after the death of Vespasian's other son Titus. Domitian was the last of the Flavian dynasty. Take a look at the obverse portrait on this coin. Domitian's Roman nose is quite prominent. On later issues the nose has been made less prominent. This is a good example of how emperors controlled their image by controlling their representation on the coinage.

Thiis coin is also interesting because some of Domitian titles are missing. The reason is that these had not been added by this point in his position as emperor. The use of COS VII dates this coin to the first month or so of his reign.

Domitian. AR denarius (18.15 mm, 3.36 g, 7 h). Rome mint, struck A.D. 81.
Obv: IMP CAESAR DOMITIANVS AVG, laureate head right
Rev: TR P COS VII, draped throne, back decorated with grain ears. RIC 3; BMCRE 2; RSC 554a.
Ex: William Rosenblum Coins Ex:Agora Auctions March 22, 2016 lot 52-174
Purchased from Agora Auctions March 22, 2016.




At first glance, this denarius looks exactly like the last Domitian (RIC 3) that I posted above. There is one significant difference. Take a look at the reverse on this coin below, and the reverse on RIC 3 that I referred to above. On the in the photo below you will see the same triangular frame as RIC 3, but below the frame you will see a strange shape. It is a Lituus, a device like a crooked wand, used in augury.

As is true with RIC 3, this coin was issued very early in Domitian's reign as Augustus. As such, the portrait on this coin has the same interesting nose as RIC 3. As for cataloguing, this variation does not appear in the major references. I think it makes sense to therefore call it RIC 3 Var (Variant).

Note also that this type of reverse was also issued for Domitian's brother Titus. On the Titus denarii the variants with and without Lituus also exist.

Domitian. AR denarius
(16.88 mm 3.02 g,). Rome mint, struck A.D. 81.
Obv: IMP CAESAR DOMITIANVS AVG, laureate head right
Rev: TR P COS VII, draped throne, back decorated with grain ears Lituus benea
the frame.
RIC 3 Var;; RSC 554a.
Ex: Akropolis Ancient Coins

 

Domitian (81 - 96 A.D.)
AR Denarius
O IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM P M TR P VI, laureate head right.
R: IMP XIIII COS XIII CENS P P P, Minerva standing right on capital of rostral column, holding spear and shield, owl at foot right.
Rome Mint, 87 A.D.
3.3g
19mm
(RIC [1962] 92), RSC 218, BMC 103

 

....speechless...


Domitianus, Denarius minted in Rome AD 95-96
IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM PM TRP XV, Laureate head of Domitianus right
IMP XXII COS XVII CENS PPP, Minerva standing right holding spear and shield
3,21 gr
Ref : RCV #2734 v, Cohen #292



Domitianus, As minted in Rome, AD 85
IMP CAES DOMITIAN AVG GERM COS XI, Laureate bust of Domitian right
MONETA AVGVSTI, Moneta standing left, holding cornucopia and scales. SC in field
11.08 gr
Ref : Cohen #325, RCV #2807v

Q

 

Great posts all

 

Domitianus:


RI Domitian AR Denarius 81-96 CE Minerva spear shield COS XVI CENS PPP 22nd Imperial acclamation minted Sept 93-Sept 94 RIC 761


RI Domitian AR Denarius 81-96 CE Minerva thunderbolt spear shield protruded chin COS XV CENS PPP RIC 726

 

Dupondius Domitan (full name type with Aegis) COS XI

 

Phenomenal thread and posts!!!

My far more modest array of denarii of Domitian.....and a couple of bronzes:

 

That sestertius is fantastic IOM, only got a few of his.

 

It is indeed RIC 38, not a variant. Still very rare though!

 

Great coins everyone and excellent write-up @IdesOfMarch01!

Here is a sampling of some of my Domitian's.


Domitian Caesar
AR Denarius, 3.46g
Rome mint, 73 AD
RIC V541 (R2), BMC V129 var., RSC 664
Obv: CAES AVG F DOMIT COS II; Head of Domitian, laureate, bearded, r.
Rev: No legend; Domitian on horse l.; r. hand raised, sceptre in l.
Ex Gemini X, 13 January 2013, Harry N. Sneh Collection, lot 701. = Helios, ebay, 29 November 2010 (A. Lynn Collection).


Domitian Caesar
AR Denarius, 3.12g
Rome Mint, 77-78 AD
RIC V958 (R3), BMC -, RSC -
Obv: CAESAR AVG F DOMITIANVS; Head of Domitian, laureate, bearded, l.
Rev: COS V; Horseman, helmeted, in military dress, cloak floating behind him, on horse prancing r., with r. hand thrown upwards and back
Acquired from Forvm Ancient Coins, September 2015.


Domitian Caesar
AR Denarius, 2.81g
Ephesus (?) mint, 76 AD
RIC V1494 (R2), BMC V488 bis, RSC 47 var., RPC 1465 (1 spec.)
Obv: CAESAR AVG F DOMITIANVS; Head of Domitian, laureate, bearded, r. 'o' mint mark below neck
Rev: COS IIII above; Pegasus r.
Acquired from G&N, eBay, 27 August 2015.

Domitian Caesar
AR Cistophorus, 10.77g
Rome mint (for Asia), 80-81 AD
RIC T517 (R), BMC T150, RSC 95, RPC 862 (6 spec.)
Obv: DIVI F DOMITIANVS COS VII; Head of Domitian, laureate, bearded, r.
Rev: DIVO VESP across field; Altar shrine
Acquired from NumisCorner, July 2017.


Domitian
AR Denarius, 3.40g
Rome mint, 82 AD
RIC 99 (R), BMC 25, RSC 592a
Obv: IMP CAES DOMITIANVS AVG P M; Head of Domitian, laureate, bearded, r.
Rev: TR POT COS VIII P P; Minerva stg. l., with Victory and sceptre; at feet, shield
Acquired from Pars Coins, eBay, 20 January 2016.


Domitian
AR Denarius, 3.38g
Rome mint, 82-83 AD
RIC 144b (R), BMC 52, RSC 320
Obv: IMP CAES DOMITIANVS AVG P M; Head of Domitian, laureate, bearded, r.
Rev: IVPPITER CONSERVATOR; Eagle stg. front on thunderbolt, wings outspread, head l.
Acquired from Zuzim Judaea, January 2010.


Domitian
AR Denarius, 2.90g
Rome mint, 84 AD
RIC 183 (R3), BMC - , RSC -
Obv: IMP CAES DOMITIANVS AVG GERMANIC; Bust of Domitian, laureate, draped, bearded, l.
Rev: P M TR POT III IMP V COS X P P; Minerva stg. r. on capital of rostral column, with spear and shield; to r., owl (M2)
Acquired from Forvm Ancient Coins, April 2014.

Domitian
AR Denarius, 3.20g
Rome mint, 85 AD
RIC 331 (R2), BMC 82, RSC 181
Obv: IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM P M TR P IIII; Bust of Domitian, laureate, bearded, r., with aegis
Rev: IMP VIIII COS XI CENS POTES P P; Germania seated r. on shield; below, broken spear
Ex Roma Auction V, 23 March 2013, lot 728.

Domitian
AR Denarius, 3.28g
Rome Mint, 95-96 AD
RIC 784 (R2), BMC 237B, RSC 296
Obv: IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM P M TR P XV; Head of Domitian, laureate, bearded, r.
Rev: IMP XXII COS XVII CENS P P P; Altar, with two figures of soldiers, flanked by aquilae; under each aquila on top of the altar is a seated captive
Acquired from Solidus, eBay, 13 April 2014.


Domitian
AR Denarius, 3.06g
Rome Mint, 95-96 AD
RIC 786 (R2), BMC 237A, RSC 295
Obv: IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM P M TR P XV; Head of Domitian, laureate, bearded, r.
Rev: IMP XXII COS XVII CENS P P P; Maia adv. l., with dove and caduceus
Ex Gemini XI, 12 January 2014, lot 418. Ex C. Clay Collection. Ex Voirol Collection, M&M 38, 6-7 December 1968, lot 403. Ex M&M VI, 6-7 December 1946, lot 804. This specimen published by H. A. Cahn, 'Flaviana indedita', Num. Chronicle 1946 p. 22, 50.

I tried to include as many non-Minerva types as possible to show there is more to Domitian's silver issues than just Minerva.

 

I'll go with that lead and show what I have that is neither Minerva nor shown above.
As Caesar under Titus is a goat in a wreath. Sorry about those gashes!


Shortly after the death of Titus was this Dolphin on anchor which had been used by Titus as part of his effort to calm the gods who had been responsible for the Vesuvius disaster.


Wolf and twins is earlier as Caesar under Vespasian


My most unusual Domitian is what I have always thought an unofficial dupondius which makes it different enough to show even though it does have Minerva. It is about as uneven a strike as I have in my oddball collection. It came from the estate of my friend who died 30 years ago but not before introducing me to the wonders of oddball coins.

 

Sheesh, fantastic Flavians and a FANTASTIC writeup!

I have only one Domitian Sestertius, the only known sestertius mule under Titus. Just slightly more worn than Ides example.

Domitian Caesar / Titus Judaea Capta Æ Sestertius Mule, 25.38 g. Rome mint, struck 80/81

O: [CAES DIVI] AVG VESP F DOMITIAN[VS COS VII] - RIC II 288-306 (Titus)
R: IVD CAP across fields; SC in field below; mourning Jewess to left of palm on pile of arms; Jew on right with hands bound, arms on ground. - Titus RIC 153 (Perhaps a die match); Hendin 1593b; Upcoming addenda Titus 287A.

From the patina it was likely found in eastern Europe, perhaps Bulgaria, a rich find spot for a lot of the judaea sestertii.


Domitian. AD 81-96. AR Denarius, 20mm, 3.50g. Rome mint. Struck AD 85
O: IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM P M TR P IIII; Laureate bust Domitian right with aegis
R: IMP VIIII COS XI CENS POT P P; Minerva standing right on capital of rostral column with spear and shield; aegis draped over back with snakes around; owl to right.
- RIC 334

Minerva was clearly the favorite goddess and patroness of Domitian, evidenced here by his wearing of her aegis.
In the Thebaid Minerva is represented as a terrifying battle goddess, entrusted with Jupiter's horrible aegis, that terrifies the Thebans. The popular perception of Domitian as cruel and capricious was entirely consistent with the wanton destructiveness of Minerva in the epic.

What scene is portrayed on the center of the capital?
From Dressel, Berlin Medallions (published 1973), p. 14, note 1: 'Cohen 237 note says, "a standing figure and a seated figure". Gnecchi, Medaglioni I, p. 43, 4 says "two small figures, the one on the left seated and the second one kneeling before the seated figure". As can be seen on many of the more carefully engraved specimens [Dressel continues], the first figure is shown seated right, while the second figure kneels before the first figure, with arms raised in entreaty.'


A common Pegasus type with uncommon style.

And last but not least, a countermarked bronze:


Domitian Ae 25mm, 14.02 g. Sebaste, Samaria. O: Laureate head of Domitian IMP DOMITIANVS CAESAR; Countermark: LXF, of the Tenth Legion Fretensis in rectangular punch. R: Tyche standing to left resting foot on rock(?) holding spear and globe, [CEBAC]THNWN (of the people of Sebaste); in l. field, date: LΘΡ (year 109 = 81/2 AD). Host coin - RPC II 2226, with LXF - Hendin 1613a.

The Tenth Legion probably acquired its name, Fretensis, from the Fretum Siculum, the straits where the legion fought successfully against Sextus Pompey.

It is undoubtedly most famous for its part in the destruction of Jerusalem under General Titus. Starting in 66 CE, Roman armies began fighting their way from the northern parts of Israel, down to Jerusalem.

Titus advanced on Jerusalem near Passover 70 C.E., trapping the residents and pilgrims inside the city. His forces stripped the Judean countryside of trees to build a 4.5-mile-long wall of pointed stakes around the capital.

In that year X Fretensis, in conjunction with V Macedonica, XII Fulminata, and XV Apollinaris, began the five month siege of Jerusalem that would result in what Jewish Bible scholar Alfred Edersheim described as a, “tribulation to Israel unparalleled in the terrible past of its history, and unequalled even in its bloody future.”

 

It will be sad to see this 12 Caesar's thread series end. There has been some amazing coins and interesting history.

 

Great post Ides. Here's my new roughed up Minerva
Awesome coins all!

 

Your ones great compared to mine

 

As always, fantastic coins! And of course, the coins of @IdesOfMarch01 are unbelievable!
Here one of my collection:

AE Sestertius - Rome mint - 82 AD.
Obv: IMP CAES DIVI VESP F DOMITIAN AVG PM
Rev: TRP COS VIII DES VIII PP/ S-C (Minerva)
RIC 105