Titus Flavius Domitianus

Domitian
Bust of Domitian, in the Musée du Louvre, Paris
11th Emperor of the Roman Empire
Reign	14 September 81 – 18 September 96
Predecessor	Titus, brother
Successor	Nerva
Born	(51-10-24)24 October 51 Rome
Died	18 September 96(96-09-18) (aged 44) Rome
Burial	Rome
Wife	Domitia Longina (70–96)
Issue	son (80–83)
Full name Titus Flavius Domitianus (from birth to 69); Titus Flavius Caesar Domitianus (from 69 to accession); Titus Flavius Caesar Domitianus Augustus (as emperor); Imperator Caesar Domitianus Augustus Germanicus (imperial name)
Dynasty	Flavian
Father	Vespasian
Mother	Domitilla

Domitian (/dəˈmɪʃən, -iən/; Latin: Titus Flavius Caesar Domitianus Augustus; 24 October 51 – 18 September 96) was Roman emperor from 81 to 96. He was the younger brother of Titus and son of Vespasian, his two predecessors on the throne, and the last member of the Flavian dynasty. During his reign, his authoritarian rule put him at sharp odds with the senate, whose powers he drastically curtailed.

After the death of his brother, Domitian was declared emperor by the Praetorian Guard. His 15-year reign was the longest since that of Tiberius. As emperor, Domitian strengthened the economy by revaluing the Roman coinage, expanded the border defenses of the empire, and initiated a massive building program to restore the damaged city of Rome. Significant wars were fought in Britain, where his general Agricola attempted to conquer Caledonia (Scotland), and in Dacia, where Domitian was unable to procure a decisive victory against king Decebalus. Domitian's government exhibited totalitarian characteristics; he saw himself as the new Augustus, an enlightened despot destined to guide the Roman Empire into a new era of brilliance. Religious, military, and cultural propaganda fostered a cult of personality, and by nominating himself perpetual censor, he sought to control public and private morals. As a consequence, Domitian was popular with the people and army, but considered a tyrant by members of the Roman Senate.