DOMITIAN (Titus Flavius Domitianus) Roman emperor, born (d: 96 C.E.); a Roman Emperor who reigned from October 14, 81 CE until his death on 18 September 18, 96 CE. Domitian was the last emperor of the Flavian dynasty, which ruled the Roman Empire between 69 and 96, encompassing the reigns of Domitian’s father Vespasian (69–79), his elder brother Titus (79-81), and finally Domitian’s own.

Domitian’s greatest passions were the arts and the games. He implemented the Capitoline Games in 87 CE. Like the Olympic Games, they were to be held every four years and included athletic displays, chariot races, but also oratory, music and acting competitions. The Emperor himself supported the travels of competitors from the whole empire and attributed the prizes. He was also very fond of gladiator shows and added important innovations like female and dwarf gladiator fights.

Much fuss is made and a great deal of misinformation about the wives he left for new wives, and wives who were found in the arms of actors. Particularly one actor, Paris. Wives, wives, wives! But in point of fact it was Domitian who left his wife Domitia for handsome actor Paris, ditching Domitia despite the shock (and delight) averred by all of Rome. OK…ok…not too long after, he threw Paris out for cuckolding him with Domitia, who he then promptly took back. Good idea, I suppose, to keep someone like her close to you. Bad choice, one might say, since Domitia saw to it that her husband (lost? Domitian, the emperor husband…try to keep up) was promptly murdered.