Domitian           81 - 96 A.D.

Domitian was one of Vespasian's sons and brother of Titus. Upon the death of Titus, Domitian was given the title of Augustus and thus became the emperor. Domitian campaigned extensively in Britain and present-day Germany, ultimately being successful in both areas. He was also intensely concerned with the soundness of the economy and frequently revised tax laws to maximize the treasury's income and kept tax collectors busy round-the-clock. However, he did use these monies to rebuild Rome which had been through two major fires and the construction of many new building projects.

For all the good he did, Domitian was still hated by the Senate which was kept on a short leash at all times. Suspicious of others by nature, anyone he suspected of plotting against him was summarily executed. Not much better fate befell any other government official suspected of embezzling funds or conducting otherwise corrupt dealings. Another move which earned him enemies was the fact that he legislated strict moral laws while making no concessions in his own promiscuous affairs and other eccentric behaviors. Like so many other emperors, Domitian was assassinated in a plot that was left largely uninvestigated but that many scholars believe his successor, Nerva, played a role in.

AR Dupondius Caesar, 69--81 A.D. 13.42 g., 28 mm. Augustus, 81--96 A.D. Obv. CAESAR AVG F DOMITIAN COS II: Laureate and draped bust right Rev. CERES AVGVST S C: Ceres standing left, holding corn ears and staff C. 32, Van Meter 90v.	AE Dupondius 81--96 A.D. 25 mm. Obv. CAES DIVI AVG VESP P F DOMITIAN COS VII: Laureate head right Rev. CERES AVGVST S C: Ceres standing left, holding staff and ears of corn C. 32, Van Meter 90v.	AE As Caesar, 69--81 A.D. 25 mm. Augustus, 81--96 A.D. Obv. IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM COS XI CENS PER PP: Laureate head right Rev. IOVI CONSERVAT S C: Jupiter standing left, holding thunderbolt and scepter S. 912, C. 303, Van Meter 104	AR Denarius 81--96A.D. Rome 3.10 g., 18 mm. Obv. IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM PM TR P XII: Laureate head right Rev. IMP XXII COS XVI CENS P P P: Minerva fighting right, on prow and with owl at her feet C. 278, Van Meter 44/1
AE As Caesar, 69--81 A.D. 26 mm. Augustus, 81--96 A.D. Obv. IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM COS XVI CENS PER PP: Laureate head right Rev. MONETA AVGVSTI S C: Moneta standing left, holding scales and cornucopiae RIC 408, Van Meter 105	AE Quadrans 81--96 A.D. Rome 2.87 g., 18 mm. Obv. No legend: Rhinoceros advancing left Rev. IMP DOMIT AVG GERM S C: Legend surrounding central S C RIC 435, Van Meter 119