Project Description

DOMITIA LONGINA - wife of Titus Flavius Domitianus

Spätestens im Jahr 69 wurde sie mit Lucius Aelius Plautius Lamia Aelianus verheiratet, erregte jedoch die Aufmerksamkeit von Domitian, dem Sohn des Kaisers Vespasian. Kurze Zeit später wurde sie ihrem Ehemann weggenommen und im Jahr 70 mit dem zukünftigen Kaiser verheiratet. Sie bekamen im Jahr 73 (nach anderen Angaben 71) einen Sohn und drei Jahre später eine Tochter, die aber beide jung starben. Der nach seinem Tod zum Divus erhobene Sohn wurde auf einem Globus sitzend auf der Rückseite eines Denarius abgebildet, der auf seiner Vorderseite das Porträt der Domitia trägt. Im Jahr 81 wurde Domitia der Titel einer Augusta  verliehen.

Domitian liebte seine Frau und nahm sie auf all seinen Reisen mit, wurde aber dennoch häufig in Begleitung anderer Frauen gesehen und hatte eine enorme Zahl von Geliebten. Gleichzeitig tolerierte er keineswegs eine ähnliche Freizügigkeit bei seiner Frau. Es gab Gerüchte, sie habe ihren Ehemann mit dessen Bruder Titus betrogen. Im Jahr 83 wurde Domitia Longinas Affäre mit dem Schauspieler Paris aufgedeckt. Paris wurde hingerichtet und Domitia erhielt den Scheidungsbrief. Sie wurde verbannt, blieb aber dennoch in der Nähe Domitians und der römischen Politik. Im Jahr 96 hatte sie entscheidenden Anteil am Erfolg des Mordkomplotts gegen den unpopulären Kaiser. Domitia Longinas Name ist noch bis zum Jahr 126 auf Ziegeln belegt. Sie starb vor dem Jahr 140, in dem ihr Freigelassene einen Tempel in Gabii errichteten.

  • Born between 50 and 55 as daughter of Rome’s famous general Gnaeus Domitius Corbulo and his wife Cassia Longina
  • Before 70: Domitia’s first marriage: to Lucius Aelius Plautius Lamia Aelianus
  • Domitia Longina as Juno, statuette from Krangeweer
  • 69: Year of the Four Emperors; coup of Vespasian
  • 70: Domitia’s second marriage: to Domitian, second son of Vespasian
  • 73: Birth of a son; he dies before his tenth birthday
  • 79: Death of Vespasian; he is succeeded by his eldest son, Titus
  • 81: Death of Titus; he is succeeded by his brother; Domitia receives the title Augusta
  • Her son Titus Flavius dies; he receives divine honors
  • 83: Exile and recall
  • 96: Assassination of Domitian; Domitia appears to have been somehow involved
  • After 126 and before 140, a temple is dedicated to Domitia in Gabii, proving that by then, she was dead.
Ancient Rome, first half of the 2nd century
During the rule of the Flavian dynasty (69-96 AD) the Roman Empire flourished; its borders extended to their maximum, there were successful wars in the East, buildings and statues were erected on a grandiose scale. In the sculpture we can sense a tendency towards monumentality, decoration and complex forms. In just such a style is this portrait of Domitia Longina (c. 55-c. 140), wife of the Emperor Domitian (81-96 AD), last representative of the Flavian dynasty. We know little of Domitia herself. She was beautiful and dissipated – according to Suetonius „she was ready to boast of any of her debauchery“ – and Domitian divorced her after a scandalous affair with the actor Paris, but then forgave her and „supposedly at the demand of the people, took her back“. Domitia knew of the plot against her husband which led to his murder. The portrait head was part of a monumental statue showing Domitia „Augustus“, in a chiton and with a robe thrown over her head. The face of this Roman beauty is totally without idealisation. In portraits of the Flavian period sculptors emphasized individuality both of external appearance and character – in this case a wilful and cruel character. A tendency to strive for decorative qualities appears in the contrast of light and shade in conveying the complex hairstyle, each lock of hair worked up with the use of a gimlet. The face is generalized, and the details treated graphically, probably because the huge statue was to be viewed from a certain distance.

Domitia Longina was the daughter of Nero’s famous general Gnaeus Domitius Corbulo. Domitia first married Lucius Aelianus Lamia. In 70 AD, she divorced her husband and married the Emperor Domitian. Domitia bore two children with Domitian, a daughter and a son who lived briefly in 73 AD. Domitian was a very jealous man and rumors of Domitia’s unfaithfulness led to her exile and the death of a suspected lover the actor Paris.

Domitian divorced Domitia in 83 AD. She was sent into exile and her life spared on the urging of Ursus, a trusted advisor to Domitian. During this period, Domitian took up residence with his brother’s daughter Julia Titi. Julia eventually became pregnant and Domitian insisted upon an abortion during which Julia died. Reconciliation between Domitian and Domitia eventually took place. However, as time passed, Domitian became increasingly suspicious of everyone and put to death anyone he believed to be disloyal.

According to the historian Dio, Domitia found her name on a list of people suspected of disloyalty. Domitia took the list to one of her own allies, the Prefects Norranus and Petronius Secundus. Together they plotted the assassination of Domitian. The plot was carried out by a slave named Stephanus who repeatedly stabbed Domitian to death. Domitia lived on for several years well respected by the citizens of Rome.