View source for Domitia Longina

{{Short description|Roman empress from AD 81 to 96}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2020}}
{{Infobox royalty
| name           = Domitia Longina
| title       = [[Augusta (honorific)|Augusta]]
| image          = Rome Domitia Longina.jpg
| image_size     = 180px
| caption        = Domitia Longina (82-92), [[National Museum in Warsaw]]
| succession     = [[List of Roman empresses|Roman empress]]
| reign          = 14 September 81 – 18 September 96
| consort        = yes
| birth_date     = {{circa}} 50–55
| birth_place    =
| death_date     = {{circa}} 126–130s
| death_place    = 
| burial_place   =
| spouse         = [[Lucius Aelius Lamia Plautius Aelianus]]<br>[[Domitian]]
| issue          = '''By Lamia'''<br>Possibly two or more children{{Efn|See [[#First marriage|First marriage]] section for more details.}}<br>'''By Domitian'''<br>Flavius Caesar{{Efn|Died young.<ref>{{Cite book| title = Coinage and History of the Roman Empire, C. 82 B.C. – A.D. 480: History | last = Vagi | first = David L. | publisher = Taylor & Francis | year = 2012 | isbn = 978-1579583163 | pages = 212}}</ref>|name=young}}<br>Flavia{{Efn|name=young}}
| full name      = Domitia Longina
| father         = [[Gnaeus Domitius Corbulo]]
| mother         = Cassia Longina
}}
{{Flavian dynasty}}
'''Domitia Longina''' ({{circa}} 50–55 – {{circa}} 126–130s AD) was a [[List of Roman and Byzantine empresses|Roman empress]] and wife to the [[Roman emperor]] [[Domitian]]. She was the youngest daughter of the general and [[Roman consul|consul]] [[Gnaeus Domitius Corbulo]]. Domitia divorced her first husband, [[Lucius Aelius Lamia Plautius Aelianus]] in order to marry Domitian in AD 71. The marriage produced only one son, whose early death is believed to have been the cause of a temporary rift between Domitia and her husband in 83. She became the empress upon Domitian's accession in 81, and remained so until his [[assassination]] in 96. She is believed to have died sometime between AD 126 and 130.

== Early life ==
Born sometime between the years 50 and 55, Domitia Longina was the second daughter of [[Gnaeus Domitius Corbulo]] and Cassia Longina.{{sfnp|Levick|2002|p=200}} Through her mother she was descended from [[Augustus]], the first [[Roman emperor]], and her paternal aunt was [[Milonia Caesonia]], wife of [[Caligula]]. Her father, Corbulo, was one of [[Rome]]'s most esteemed citizens, both in the [[Roman Senate]] and the [[Roman army|army]]. In addition to serving as [[Roman consul|consul]] under Caligula, he conducted military campaigns in [[Germania]] and [[Parthia]] under [[Claudius]] and [[Nero]], respectively.{{sfnp|Levick|2002|p=200}} However, his family was connected to the failed [[Pisonian conspiracy]] against Nero in 65, consequently leading to Corbulo's disgrace and [[Suicide in antiquity|suicide]].{{sfnp|Jones|1992|p=34}}

==First marriage==
Little is known about the life of Domitia before her marriage to [[Domitian]], but sometime before 70 she was married to [[Lucius Aelius Lamia Plautius Aelianus]], a man of senatorial rank.{{sfnp|Levick|2002|p=201}} She may have been the mother of [[Lucius Fundanius Lamia Aelianus]]{{sfnp|Jones|1992|p=184}} as well as one or two daughters.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Continuité gentilice et continuité familiale dans les familles sénatoriales romaines à l'époque impériale: mythe et réalité|last=Settipani|first=Christian|publisher=Unit for Prosopographical Research, Linacre College, University of Oxford|year=2000|isbn=978-1900934022|pages=596}}</ref> It is also possible that Fundanius may have been Longina and Lamia's grandson through a daughter and her husband, a Lucius Fundanius, son of a Lucius Fundanius.<ref>[http://www.strachan.dk/family/aelius_lamia.htm Aelii Lamiae, stema]</ref><ref>{{Cite book|title=Marcus Aurelius: A Biography|last=Birley|first=Anthony R|publisher=Routledge|year=2012|isbn=978-1134695690|pages=|edition=reworked}}</ref>

== Marriage to Domitian ==

=== Reign of Vespasian and Titus ===
[[Image:The Triumph of Titus Alma Tadema.jpg|thumb|right|240px|''The Triumph of Titus'', by Sir [[Lawrence Alma-Tadema]] (1885). The composition alludes to the rumoured love affair between Titus (back left) and Domitia Longina (left, next to Domitian).<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.societasviaromana.net/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=15477  | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071027104356/http://www.societasviaromana.net/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=15477  | url-status=dead  | archive-date=27 October 2007  |title=The Triumph of Titus: an affair on painting |accessdate=27 June 2008 |date=12 September 2007 |work=societasviaromana.net }}</ref>]]
Following Nero's suicide on 9 June 68, the Roman Empire plunged into a year-long [[civil war]] known as the [[Year of the Four Emperors]], which saw the successive rise and fall of the Emperors [[Galba]], [[Otho]] and [[Vitellius]]. The crisis came to an end with the accession of [[Vespasian]], who re-established peace in the Empire and founded the short-lived [[Flavian dynasty]]. In 71, Vespasian attempted to arrange a dynastic marriage between his youngest son Domitian, and the daughter of his eldest son [[Titus]], [[Julia Flavia]].{{sfnp|Jones|1992|p=33}} By this time however, Domitian had already met and fallen in love with Domitia Longina, and managed to persuade Lamia to divorce her, so that Domitian could marry her himself.{{sfnp|Jones|1992|p=33}} Despite its initial recklessness, the alliance was very prestigious for both families. The new marriage rehabilitated Corbulo's family, while serving the broader Flavian [[propaganda]] of the time, which sought to diminish Vespasian's political success under the less reputable emperors of the [[Julio-Claudian dynasty]]. Instead connections to Claudius and Britannicus were emphasised, and Nero's victims, or those otherwise disadvantaged by him, rehabilitated.{{sfnp|Jones|1992|p=34}}

During this time, Domitian's role in the Flavian government was largely [[ceremony|ceremonial]]. While his elder brother Titus shared almost equal powers with his father, Domitian was left with honours but no responsibilities.{{sfnp|Jones|1992|p=18}} This situation remained unchanged when Titus succeeded Vespasian as Emperor on 23 June 79, leading both ancient and modern authors to suggest a mutual animosity between the two brothers. In 80, Titus granted a [[Roman consul|suffect consulship]] to Domitia's former husband Aelius Lamia, according to Gsell as a personal insult against Domitian.{{sfnp|Jones|1992|p=20}} On another occasion, when Titus urged Lamia to marry again, Lamia asked whether "he too was looking for a wife".{{sfnp|Jones|1992|p=184}} In the same year, Domitia and Domitian's only attested son was born. It is not known what the boy's name was, but he died in childhood in 83.{{sfnp|Jones|1992|p=36}}

After barely two years in office, Titus unexpectedly died of brain fever on 13 September 81. His last words were reported to have been: "I have made but one mistake".<ref name="suetonius-titus-10">Suetonius, Life of Titus [https://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Suetonius/12Caesars/Titus*.html#10 10]</ref> The contemporary historian [[Suetonius]] speculated on the possible involvement of Domitian in his brother's death, attributing his final words to a popular rumour of the time, which held that Titus had carried on an affair with Domitia Longina. However even he dismisses the story as highly unlikely.{{sfnp|Jones|1992|p=36}}<ref name="suetonius-titus-10"/>

On 14 September, the [[Roman Senate]] confirmed Domitian as Titus' successor, granting tribunician power, the office of [[Pontifex Maximus]], and the titles of ''[[Augustus (honorific)|Augustus]]'', and ''[[Pater Patriae]]''. Consequently, Domitia Longina became Empress of Rome.

=== Empress of Rome ===
Shortly following his accession as Emperor, Domitian bestowed the honorific title of ''[[Augusta (honorific)|Augusta]]'' upon Domitia, while their late son was [[apotheosis|deified]]. Both appeared on Domitian's coinage during this time. Nevertheless, the marriage appears to have faced a significant crisis in 83. For reasons unknown, Domitian briefly [[exile]]d Domitia, and then soon recalled her, either out of love or amidst rumours he was carrying on a relationship with his niece Julia Flavia.{{sfnp|Jones|1992|p=39}} According to Suetonius, Domitia was exiled because of an affair with a famous actor named [[Paris (actor under Domitian)|Paris]]. When Domitian found out, he allegedly murdered Paris in the street, and promptly divorced his wife. Suetonius further adds that, once Domitia was exiled, Domitian took Julia as his mistress, who later died during a failed [[abortion]].<ref name="suetonius-domitian-22">Suetonius, Life of Domitian [https://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Suetonius/12Caesars/Domitian*.html#22 22]</ref>

[[Image:Domitian Domitia aureus.png|thumb|330px|left|Roman [[aureus]] minted in 83 during the reign of [[Domitian]]. Domitia appears on the reverse with the honorific title ''[[Augusta (honorific)|Augusta]]''.]]
Modern historians consider this highly implausible however, noting that many of these stories were propagated by hostile senatorial authors, who condemned Domitian as a [[tyrant]] after his death. Malicious rumours, such as those concerning Domitia's alleged infidelity, were eagerly repeated, and used to highlight the [[hypocrisy]] of a ruler publicly preaching a return to [[Augustus|Augustan]] morals, while privately indulging in excesses and presiding over a corrupt [[court]].{{sfnp|Levick|2002|p=211}} Domitian did exile his wife, but Jones argues that most likely he did so for her failure to produce an [[heir]].{{sfnp|Jones|1992|p=36}} Nevertheless, rumours regarding Domitia's alleged misconduct with Paris circulated even in Domitian's time, and he did not take insults directed at his marriage lightly. Not long after his accession, Aelius Lamia was put to death for the joking remarks made earlier during the reign of Titus.{{sfnp|Jones|1992|p=185}} In 93, a son of [[Helvidius Priscus]] was executed for having composed a [[farce]] satirizing Domitian's separation from his wife. Stories of Domitian's affair with Julia were likely an invention of post-Domitianic writers however.{{sfnp|Jones|1992|p=40}}

By 84, Domitia had returned to the palace,{{sfnp|Varner|1995|p=200}} where she lived for the remainder of Domitian's reign without incident.{{sfnp|Jones|1992|pp=34–35}} Little is known of Domitia's precise activities as Empress, or how much influence she wielded in Domitian's government, but it seems her role was largely limited to ceremonial appearances. From Suetonius, we know that she at least accompanied the Emperor to the [[Amphitheatre|theatre]], while the [[Judaism|Jewish]] writer [[Flavius Josephus|Josephus]] speaks of benefits he received from her.{{sfnp|Jones|1992|p=37}} She was also the owner of the [[Horti Domitiae]].

== Later years ==
On 18 September 96, Domitian was assassinated in a palace conspiracy organized by court officials. His body was carried away on a common [[bier]], and unceremoniously [[cremation|cremated]] by his nurse Phyllis, who mingled the ashes with those of his niece Julia at the [[Temple of the gens Flavia]].<ref name="suetonius-domitian-17">Suetonius, Life of Domitian [https://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Suetonius/12Caesars/Domitian*.html#17 17]</ref> The same day, he was succeeded by his friend and advisor, [[Nerva|Marcus Cocceius Nerva]]. Ancient sources have implicated Domitia in the conspiracy against Domitian, either by direct involvement, or advance awareness of the assassination. The historian [[Cassius Dio]], writing more than a century after the assassination, claimed that Domitia chanced upon a list of courtiers Domitian intended to put to death, and passed the information to his chamberlain Parthenius.<ref>Cassius Dio, ''Roman History'' [https://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Cassius_Dio/66*.html#15 LXVI.15]</ref> The story is most likely apocryphal however, with [[Herodian]] attributing a similar tale to the assassination of [[Commodus]]. According to Jones, the evidence suggests that Domitia remained devoted to Domitian, even after his death.{{sfnp|Jones|1992|p=37}} Twenty-five years after her husband's assassination, and despite the fact that his [[Damnatio memoriae|memory had been damned]] by the Senate, she still referred to herself as "Domitia, wife of Domitian".{{sfnp|Jones|1992|p=37}}{{efn|Also supported by {{harvtxt|Levick|2002|p=211}}, but disputed by {{harvtxt|Varner|1995|p=202}}. }} There has been some speculation among historians that she may have remarried to [[Gnaeus Domitius Lucanus]].{{sfnp|Fraser|2015|p=242}}<ref>{{Cite book |title=Hadrian: The Restless Emperor |last=Birley |first=Anthony R. |publisher=Routledge |year=2013 |isbn=978-1135952334 |pages=309 |series=Roman Imperial Biographies}}</ref>

Sometime between 126 and 140, a temple dedicated to Domitia was erected in [[Gabii]]. She died peacefully sometime between 126 and the 130s.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Divus Claudius|last=Hurley|first=Donna W.|publisher=Cambridge University Press|year=2001|isbn=978-0521596763|pages=4}}</ref>

==Family tree==
{{Flavian family tree}}

== In later arts ==
* ''[[The Roman Actor]]'', a [[Caroline era]] stage play, written by [[Philip Massinger]], concerning the alleged affair between Domitia Longina and Paris.
* ''Domitia'' (1898). a historical novel by [[Sabine Baring-Gould]]
* ''Domitia and Domitian'' (2000), a historical novel by David Corson based on historical works by Brian Jones and Pat Southern, revolving around the title characters.
* ''Daughters of Rome'' (2011) a historical novel by [[Kate Quinn]], which details the lives of Domitia, her sister and two of her cousins during the Year of the Four Emperors. The novel reimagines Domitia's historical origins and instead portrays her as a member of the [[Cornelia gens]] called Marcella. The book is a prequel to Quinn's 2010 novel ''Mistress of Rome'', in which Domitia also features.
* ''Corbulo's Daughter'' (2019), a historical novel by Anthony Jennings, deals with the relationship between Domitia and the future Emperor Titus from the end of Nero's reign through the sack of Jerusalem to the accession of Vespasian. The book is a prequel to the author's novels ''The Prophet of Pompeii'' and ''Gods of Blood and Water'', in which Domitia and Titus also feature.

== Footnotes ==
{{Notelist}}

== Notes ==
{{Reflist}}

== References ==
{{Refbegin|30em}}
* {{ cite journal | last = Fraser | first = Trudie E. | title = Domitia Longina: An Underestimated Augusta (c. 53–126/8) | journal = Ancient Society | volume = 45 | year = 2015 | pages = 205–266 | jstor = 44080008}}
* {{ cite book | last = Jones | first = Brian W. | title = The Emperor Domitian | publisher = Routledge | year = 1992 | location = London | isbn = 0415101956 }}
* {{ cite journal | last = Levick | first = Barbara | authorlink = Barbara Levick | title = Corbulo's Daughter | journal = Greece & Rome | volume = 49 | issue = 2 | year = 2002 | pages =199–211 | doi =10.1093/gr/49.2.199 | jstor=826906}}
* {{ cite book |last=Minaud |first=Gérard |title=Les vies de 12 femmes d'empereur romain – Devoirs, Intrigues & Voluptés |location=Paris |publisher=L’Harmattan |year=2012 |chapter=ch. 5, '' La vie de Domitia Longina, femme de Domitien'' |pages=121–146 |isbn=978-2336002910 |language=fr}}
* {{ cite journal | last = Varner | first = Eric R. | title = Domitia Longina and the Politics of Portraiture | journal = American Journal of Archaeology | volume = 99 | issue = 2 | year = 1995 | pages =187–206 | doi =10.2307/506339 | jstor = 506339 | publisher = Archaeological Institute of America | s2cid = 155406583 }}
{{Refend}}

== Further reading ==
* {{cite book |last=Southern |first=Pat |title=Domitian: Tragic Tyrant |year=1997 |publisher=Routledge |location=London |isbn=0-415-16525-3 }}
* {{Cite journal|title=Domitia Longina : reconsidération d'un destin impérial|journal=Journal des Savants|url=https://www.persee.fr/doc/jds_0021-8103_2003_num_1_1_1663|last=Chausson|first=François|year=2003 |volume=1 |pages=101–129|doi=10.3406/jds.2003.1663 |via=Persee}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Domitia Longina}}

=== Primary sources ===
* [[Cassius Dio]], [https://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Cassius_Dio/67*.html ''Roman History'' Book 67], English translation
* [[Suetonius]], [https://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Suetonius/12Caesars/Domitian*.html ''The Lives of Twelve Caesars'', Life of Domitian], Latin text with English translation
* [[Tacitus]], [[s:Histories (Tacitus)|''Histories'']], English translation

=== Secondary material ===
* {{cite web |url=https://www.livius.org/do-dz/domitian/domitia.html |title=Domitia Longina |accessdate=26 June 2008 |last=Lendering |first=Jona |date=17 July 2006 |work=Livius.org |archive-date=7 August 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080807160547/http://www.livius.org/do-dz/domitian/domitia.html |url-status=dead }}
* {{cite encyclopedia | url=http://www.roman-emperors.org/domitian.htm |title=Titus Flavius Domitianus (A.D. 81–96) | accessdate=10 February 2007 | last=Donahue | first=John | date=10 October 1997 | encyclopedia=De Imperatoribus Romanis: An Online Encyclopedia of Roman Rulers and their Families }}

{{Roman empresses}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Longina, Domitia}}
[[Category:50s births]]
[[Category:120s deaths]]
[[Category:Augustae]]
[[Category:Flavian dynasty]]
[[Category:Domitii]]
[[Category:1st-century Roman empresses]]
[[Category:2nd-century Roman women]]
[[Category:Year of birth uncertain]]
[[Category:Year of death uncertain]]