# Domitian — The Lives of the Caesars character guide

> Domitian in The Lives of the Caesars by Suetonius.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** The Deified Domitian

**First appearance:** 0013-domitian

## Snapshot

The last Flavian, a suspicious autocrat whose secretive habits and persecution of senators darkened the dynasty's final years.

## Who they are

Domitian lives in the shadow of his brother Titus, and his resentment curdles into a reign marked by secrecy, cruelty, and a paranoid grip on power. Suetonius paints him as a man who stabs flies in private and senators in public, his autocratic instincts alienating the very class that once supported his family. His reign closes the Flavian arc, showing how the dynasty's hard-won stability could curdle into tyranny.

## Relationships

### [Titus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lives_of_the_caesars_se/characters/titus)

_family_

Domitian was Titus's younger brother, and he resented Titus's popularity, likely plotting against him and rejoicing at his death.

## In the story

### [Book VIII: The Deified Vespasian—The Deified Titus—Domitian](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lives_of_the_caesars_se/chapters/book-viii-the-deified-vespasian-the-deified-titus-domitian)

Vespasian's younger son, depicted as cruel and tyrannical, plotting against Titus and ruling with vice.

### [The Deified Vespasian](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lives_of_the_caesars_se/chapters/the-deified-vespasian)

Vespasian's younger son, mentioned as part of his family; later emperor whose avarice and cruelty are noted.

### [The Deified Titus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lives_of_the_caesars_se/chapters/the-deified-titus)

Titus's brother, who continually plotted against him and stirred up the armies, yet Titus showed him clemency.

### [Domitian](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lives_of_the_caesars_se/chapters/domitian)

The subject of the chapter; his early life, reign, cruelty, and personal relationships are described.

### [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lives_of_the_caesars_se/chapters/endnotes)

Referenced multiple times in endnotes regarding his reign, building projects, and policies.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lives_of_the_caesars_se/characters/domitian
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lives_of_the_caesars_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lives_of_the_caesars_se/characters