Creative Writing
Domitian had two sides to his personality. One that feared most of the
things and people that surrounded him and the other that did not care
who or what he stepped on to get what he wanted. He had a very strong
sense of ambition, it just so happened that it also was very dangerous.
Domitian, a young emperor who had a terrible reputation and temper and
even a worse superstition of being killed or taunted, though he did
bring it onto himself.
The war between Vespasian and Vittelius was still on, and Domitian
feared for his life. He suspected that he was going to be called to
follow in his father's footsteps and have to fight in the war or make
political decisions. Domitian's instincts led him to believe that
Vittelius had it in for him. Vittelius wanted to kill Domitian.
Vespasian was scared for his son's life. He did not want to take any
chances. He wanted his son out of the country and away from any
potential trouble. Vespasian was a family father and always wondered
where Domitian's dangerous sense of ambition came from. Vespasian
believed in family values and traditions to follow. So from orders of
his father, Domitian was on his way to the Capitol. Scabinus and even
some members of the court followed him. Domitian was not exiled but
requested by his father to be scarce from the city for a while or at
least until the war was over, for he knew the Vittelius wanted to seek
revenge and thought that a good way of doing so would be to kill his
son. Vittelius in his sneaky and devious ways in due time tracked
Domitian down to the temple, where he was staying in the capitol.
Vittelius ordered his men to set fire to the temple where he was
staying. However, Domitian used his force to secretly escape and he
even left the majority of his men behind. At this time Domitian was
caring for himself and his life. He did not have a concern of his men or
if they lived or died. He was known to be a very selfish man who always
got what he wanted.
Now his side of fear stepped into play and showed its face. By order
of Domitian a caretaker took him in and protected and covered his
footsteps for him. Domitian spent weeks in the caretakers' quarters.
He did not come into the public eye for a long period of time. He felt
his life was still in danger, though he knew he could not stay hidden
there forever. So, finally he showed his face in public, even though he
was disguised as a devotee of Issis. Domitian was afraid that Vittelius
would seek him out in a crowd and was overly cautious. Though, during a
time of rest during the war Domitian and his friends were able to escape
across Tiber, where the mother of one of his students lived. She agreed
to taking in him and his men in because Domitian being a great mentor
was very good to her son and she felt that she owed him a favor. This
was the perfect opportunity to pay him back. She hid him and his men so
intelligently that he was not able to be found no matter what the
circumstances were. He was so well hidden that eventually when
Vittelius tracked him down, they were not even able to find him, they
searched from top to bottom. They searched the women's house and found
no trace of him, even though he was in there. It was like footsteps in
the middle of the snow that just mysteriously disappeared.
Only after Vittelius's death did Domitian come from his clever hiding
place. The death of Vittelius could have been caused by poison that
could have been planted by Domitian or one of his men. In result
Domitian could return to his normal life once again. He might have had
no direct reason to have murder Vittelius but Domitian wanted his life
back, along with the power that he wanted to receive. He knew he was
going to be appointed a reign and he wanted the competence(power). So
Domitian needed to find a way to end the war, and the death of the
commander of the enemy was a perfect plan. Finally when Domitian came
back from hiding he was appointed 'Caesar' and accepted with no
hesitation. He figured that if he was City Praetor he would have
consular powers, he would have more control to make things the way he
wanted it to be. However, he would hire someone to do all of the
political work to be done, and only pointed something out if he wanted
it to be changed to the way he wanted it.
On top of just coming out from hiding Domitian was known for having
many affairs. After many women's one of the young ladies, Domita Logina
was forced by Domitian to divorce her husband, Aelius Lamia. Domitian
had found someone he was very found of and was not letting her go.
After this occurred Domitian married her and had a very unhappy
marriage. Together they had one sickly child that died at a young age.
Domita Longina was exiled and then recalled back to Rome to the palace
where she lived until Domitian's death.
Next Domitian wanted to acquire a military reputation. He thought of
a plan that he thought would make his military character phenomenal. He
wanted to invade Gaul and Germany and defeat them. He was so sure and
almost knew for a fact that Rome would be able to. If they defeated
them then he would have the reputation of leading a successful military.
Despite what he felt his father's friends luckily talked him out of this
idea. They knew if he actually went through with his plan then
something dramatic could have happened. Though after trying very hard
Domitian thought of a way to succeed with the army and earned a name for
himself within the military.
Domitian was a very cruel man. He planned accidental deaths. Although
at other points in his life he was a man who was scared of anything that
crossed his path. It was like he was mentally challenged and needed some
sort of attention. Domitian, an emperor who was so unpopular with one
group of people though others, the military, worshipped him like a god.