September 18 - Murder of Domitian

Domitian succeeded his brother Titus in 81 AD. In modern critique, he was average at best. While he is remembered for his many construction projects in Rome, Domitian lacked skilled as an Emperor. By the end of his reign, Domition had developed into something of a tyrant, a relious zealout, and one of paranoia.

Domitian relentlessly brought treason charges against high men of the state. Senators, former consuls, and Praetorian prefects all took charges from the Emperor. Many ended in execution, including the emperor's own cousin. It was only a matter of time before his subjects had enough. Two Praetorian commanders conspired to bring down the Emperor once and for all.

The Emperor himself was never at ease. At night, he woke up full of terror and suspicion. The next moring, Domition consulted a soothsayer, who foretold him that the ruler of Rome would change. Domitian condemned the soothsayer to death, but remained restless and feared the "fifth hour." Later in the day, when he asked his servant what time it was, the servant told him it was sixth hour, an hour later than the true time. Feeling that he had gotten through the day he retired to his bedroom.

There he met Stephanus concealing a dagger in bandages wrapped around his arm disguised as injured. Stephanus pretended to be a defect of the conspiracy and handed the Emperor a document to read. Unexpectedly, he then stabbed the Emperor in the groin. The Emperor resisted and fought back, attempting to gouge the assasin's eyes out as the two struggled. Moments later, the other conspirators rushed in and stabbed the Emperor seven more times. Statues and Images of the Emperor was immediately torn down by the senators. Thus ended his reign in 96 AD.

On the same day Domitian was murdered, Nerva was hailed Augustus. Nerva was to become the first of the "Five Good Emperors."

Other Events:

1976 - Mao Tse Tung (Mad ZeDong)'s funeral
1914 - Battle of Aisne Ends
323 - Constantine defeats Licinius to become sole Roman Emperor


Edited by Imperator Invictus

Also, just for the sake of correctness, Titus was Domitian's brother.