Changes

== Reign of Domitian==

Domitian became emperor he moved the seat of government to the Imperial Court. This was a very important symbolic move and it demonstrated that Domitian had little interest in sharing power with the Senators. He made it clear that he wanted to rule as an autocrat, but he also sought to reform the Senate and expelled corrupt senators. Like Augustus he wanted to renew Rome and had himself appointed censor and tried to reform the morals of the general population. He was also concerned with the decline in observance of the old Roman religion and he personally patronized the cult of Minerva. Domitian appears to have favored members of the Equestrian Order (Knights) and they were promoted to high office and this infuriated many in the Senate. It appears that Domitian valued merit and ability and he did not practice nepotism but selected men only on their abilities. Unlike previous Emperors, Domitian was often out of Rome and he regularly visited the Provinces<ref>Suetonius, Life of Domitian, xiv, iv</ref>. However, he did not neglect the welfare of Rome and its citizens and he paid attention to the food and water supply. He was also a lavish builder and he constructed several villas and palaces in Rome and their ruins are still extant. He also built a stadium for the use of the public and rebuilt large areas of the city that had been destroyed in fires. Domitian was a very able administrator and he took a personal interest in affairs of state and personally monitored the bureaucracy. <ref>Suetonius, Life of Domitian, xiv, iv</ref>. The third Flavian ruler was interested in the economy and was prudent in fiscal matters. Like every other Emperor his first duty was the preservation of the Empire and the security of its frontiers. Domitian did not personally lead his legions into battle although he regularly visited battle zones. During his reign his legions campaigned in Germany, Britain and the Balkans. Domitian was faced with a very serious threat from the Dacians and his legions were able to beat back their attempted invasion. The Flavian Emperor was disliked by many in the Senate and he disliked that body and was very suspicious of the Senators<ref> Jones., Brian, The Emperor Domitian (London: Routledge, 1992), p 14 </ref>. During the later years of his reign he became increasingly paranoid and he had several Senators executed for treason <ref>Suetonius, Life of Domitian, xiv, iv</ref>. There was no free speech in Rome towards the end of his reign and Tacitus claims that there was a reign of terror in the city and throughout the Empire. As a result, many in the elite wanted to replace Domitian, but it must be remembered that he was very popular with the ordinary people of Rome and the legionnaires. Despite this, Domitian’s paranoia increased, and he had one of his most-loyal officials executed for treason. This led other court officials to intrigue with Senators and the Praetorian Guard to assassinate him. In December 96 AD the conspirators attacked and stabbed Domitian to death. Hours after his death the Senate acclaimed Nerva as Emperor, which suggests that he was involved in the conspiracy<ref> Jones, p 113 </ref>.

==Domitian and the conception of the Imperial Office==

Domitian had a very different conception of the role of the Emperor than his father and his brother. He saw the Emperor as a moral force who should intervene to promote the wellbeing and the morals of the population, just as Augustus had. For example, he passed laws limiting luxury and extravagant spending in the city. He enforced the laws against adultery, mutilation, and public immorality for the first time in decades<ref>Suetonius, Life of Domitian, xiv, iv</ref>. Domitian saw himself as the embodiment of Rome and his duty was to the people and not to the Senate. He was eager to marginalize the Senate and his frequent absences increasingly meant that the assembly was irrelevant. His policy of promoting Equestrians was also designed to keep the Senatorial elite from many high offices. Under him the Imperial government became more autocratic and he signed himself as ‘Dominus’ or master <ref> Jones, p 178</ref>. Under Domitian the Republican façade that was established by Augustus was torn away. He extended the law of treason and any criticism of him was treasonous and this was unprecedented. After his assassination, Nerva and his successors, at least respected the façade of the Republic<ref> Jones, p 201</ref>. However, Domitian’s autocratic reign was a forerunner of those 3rd and 4th century Emperors who ruled without any regard to the Senate and the Roman constitution.