Editing Domitian (section)

=== Modern revisionism ===

[[File:Domiziano da latina, 81-96 dc..JPG|thumb|left|170px|Bust of Domitian wearing the [[civic crown]], from the [[Palazzo Massimo alle Terme]], [[Rome]]]]

Over the course of the 20th century, Domitian's military, administrative and economic policies were re-evaluated.  Hostile views of Domitian had been propagated until [[archeology|archeological]] and [[numismatics|numismatic]] advances brought renewed attention to his reign, and necessitated a revision of the literary tradition established by Tacitus and Pliny. It would be nearly a hundred years after [[Stéphane Gsell]]'s 1894 ''Essai sur le règne de l'empereur Domitien'' however, before any new, book-length studies were published.<ref name=gowing-domitian-review/> The first of these was Jones' 1992 ''The Emperor Domitian''.  He concludes that Domitian was a ruthless but efficient autocrat.<ref name=gowing-domitian-review>{{cite journal | last = Gowing | first = Alain M. | title = Review: The Emperor Domitian | journal = Bryn Mawr Classical Review | year = 1992 | url = http://ccat.sas.upenn.edu/bmcr/1992/03.06.10.html }}</ref> For the majority of his reign, there was no widespread dissatisfaction with his policies. His harshness was limited to a highly vocal minority, who exaggerated his despotism in favor of the [[Nervan-Antonian dynasty]] that followed.<ref name=gowing-domitian-review/>  His foreign policy was realistic, rejecting expansionist warfare and negotiating peace at a time when Roman military tradition dictated aggressive conquest. Persecution of religious minorities, such as Jews and Christians, was non-existent.<ref name=jones-114-119>Jones (1992), pp. 114–119</ref>

In 1930, [[Ronald Syme]] argued for a complete reassessment of Domitian's financial policy, which had been largely viewed as a disaster.<ref>His article begins with "The work of the spade and the use of common sense have done much to mitigate the influence of Tacitus and Pliny and redeem the memory of Domitian from infamy or oblivion. But much remains to be done." ''Imperial Finances'' p. 55</ref>  His economic program, which was rigorously efficient, maintained the Roman currency at a standard it would never again achieve. Domitian's government nonetheless exhibited [[totalitarianism|totalitarian]] characteristics. As Emperor, he saw himself as the new Augustus, an enlightened despot destined to guide the Roman Empire into a new era of Flavian renaissance.<ref name=jones-72/>  Using religious, military and cultural propaganda, he fostered a [[cult of personality]]. He deified three of his family members and erected massive structures to commemorate the Flavian achievements. Elaborate triumphs were celebrated in order to boost his image as a warrior-emperor, but many of these were either unearned or premature.<ref name=jones-127/> By nominating himself perpetual censor, he sought to control public and private morals.<ref name=jones-106/> He started several major construction projects in Rome including the [[Aqua Traiana]] and the [[Baths of Trajan]].<ref>Anderson, J. C. 1985. "The Date of the Thermae Traiani and the Topography of the Oppius Mons". American Journal of Archaeology 89, 507</ref>

He became personally involved in all branches of the government and successfully prosecuted corruption among public officials. The dark side of his censorial power involved a restriction in freedom of speech, and an increasingly oppressive attitude toward the Roman Senate. He punished libel with exile or death and, due to his suspicious nature, increasingly accepted information from [[delatores|informers]] to bring false charges of treason if necessary.<ref name=jones-180>Jones (1992), p. 180</ref> Despite his vilification by contemporary historians, Domitian's administration provided the foundation for the Principate of the peaceful 2nd century. His successors Nerva and Trajan were less restrictive, but in reality their policies differed little from his. Much more than a "gloomy coda to the...1st century", the Roman Empire prospered between 81 and 96, in a reign that [[Theodor Mommsen]] described as a somber but intelligent despotism.<ref name=gowing-domitian-review/><ref>Syme (1930), p. 67</ref>