Domitian: The Emperor History Tried to Forget

History remembers the names of the worst villains like Balaam from the Torah or, in our times, Hitler. Yet some are so loathed, they are almost forgotten. One such figure is the Roman emperor Domitian. His name rarely appears in history books, and what we do know paints a disturbing picture.

Domitian was the son of Vespasian and the brother of Titus, the same Titus responsible for destroying the Second Beit HaMikdash (Holy Temple). Like his brother, Domitian took part in suppressing the Jewish revolt. He commanded his own legion and spent time in Judea, where he participated in brutal massacres of Jews. Even his brother Titus had little respect for him, which may explain why his name barely shows up in the records of the time.

When Titus became ill with the mysterious disease that eventually killed him, Domitian saw an opportunity. Eager to take power, he ordered Titus confined, hoping to hasten his death. From his youth, Domitian had been known for strange behavior such as spending hours catching flies in the palace but once he became emperor, his cruelty turned into official policy.

He filled Rome with arenas where he took pleasure in watching people thrown to wild animals. In a particularly disturbing twist, he even ordered women to fight beasts in the arenas. It’s safe to say he didn’t consult any women’s organizations before making such a barbaric decision.

Following a policy started by his father Vespasian, Domitian enforced a harsh and humiliating tax on Jews. The same “half-shekel” tax that Jews used to give each year to the Beit HaMikdash was now collected for the Roman idol temple of Jupiter. The tax collectors were known for their cruelty. One historian even describes an elderly Jewish man, 90 years old, being publicly humiliated to force him to pay.

The Talmud tells us about Onkelos, known as “Bar Achtiya d’Titus” (the son of Titus’s sister), who famously converted to Judaism. Domitian was furious and sent messengers to try to convince him to return to Rome. Historians believe Onkelos may have been the same person as “Clemens,” who appears in Roman records. In the end, Domitian ordered his own nephew executed simply for choosing Judaism.

That act sent shockwaves through Roman society. Executing a close relative for converting, not for treason or rebellion, was seen as an act of madness. Domitian didn’t stop there. He also killed many other Roman citizens who showed interest in Judaism, including twelve of his own consuls, Rome’s top political leaders.

His paranoia consumed him. He had enormous mirrors installed in his palace so he could see behind him and catch potential attackers. But in the end, his fears were not unfounded.

A Roman governor named Antonius Saturninus, stationed in Germany, planned to rebel and make himself emperor. He even made an alliance with a Hun leader and planned to cross the frozen Rhine River to launch his attack. But as the sun rose and warmed the landscape, the ice cracked loudly and melted beneath their feet, ruining the plan. Meanwhile, Domitian learned of the rebellion and brutally punished anyone even suspected of being involved.

But cruelty like his rarely goes unpunished. Eventually, Domitian’s own commanders, with help from his wife, turned on him. They stormed into his bedroom and killed him, freeing Rome from a tyrant whose madness had touched everyone around him. He died without children, marking the end of the Flavian dynasty, Vespasian, Titus, and Domitian, the same dynasty that destroyed the Beit HaMikdash.