Domitianus “Germanicus”

Abstract

Domitian, the last Flavian emperor, placed Germania at the center of his foreign policy. His first military campaign was against the Chatti, which comprised the most dangerous armed forces among German tribes. After neutralizing them, Domitian had extended the frontiers of the Roman Empire in Germania. He made administrative reforms for newly acquired territories, making Roman presence long-lasting. He also gradually expanded Rome’s rule in Germania during his rule. After successfully dealing with the Dacians and subduing them on the Danube frontier, he refocused his attention other German tribes the Marcomanni and the Quadi. While preparing a pincer movement against the Marcomanni and the Quadi and their Sarmatian allies by establishing diplomatic contacts with several tribes in the region and concentrating military forces, he was assassinated in Rome. Had he not been assassinated, the Roman Empire’s expansion into Central Europe could have been achieved. Yet, his successes in Germania rightly earned Domitian the cognomen Germanicus.