The Mysterious Uprising in Germania Superior

In the winter of AD 88–89, Rome was experiencing relative stability. Yet, against all expectations, Lucius Antonius Saturninus, governor of Germania Superior, persuaded two legions to proclaim him emperor in rebellion against Domitian. Historians have debated the motivations behind this sudden insurrection.

First, Saturninus may have been influenced by anti-Domitian factions within the Senate, who resented the emperor’s increasingly autocratic rule. Second, he might have sought to exploit Domitian’s preoccupation with the Dacian Wars to seize power. Third, the Parthian crisis could have played a role—Domitian was simultaneously managing threats from Dacia and Parthia, and Saturninus may have hoped to ignite a western revolt while Rome was distracted.

A false Nero had emerged in the East, claiming legitimacy and seeking Parthian support. Though Parthia ultimately handed the impostor over to Rome, the episode briefly unsettled the empire. Similarly, Saturninus’ rebellion was swiftly crushed by loyalist forces under the Lower Germanic legate Lappius Maximus. By January 25, AD 89, the revolt was over—Saturninus died by suicide, and his soldiers were pardoned.

The Rise of Trajan and the Fortunes of War

The failed rebellion had an unexpected beneficiary: Marcus Ulpius Traianus, later known as Emperor Trajan. Domitian, distrustful of Saturninus’ supporters, appointed Trajan as the new governor of Germania Superior. This promotion placed Trajan in a strategic position, ultimately paving his path to the imperial throne.

Had Saturninus not rebelled, Trajan—a provincial-born officer—might never have risen to such prominence. His tenure in Germania solidified his reputation, enabling Emperor Nerva to adopt him as heir in AD 97. Thus, an obscure provincial commander became Rome’s first non-Italian emperor.

The Dacian Threat and Domitian’s Controversial Peace

Domitian’s reign was marked by persistent conflict along the Danube. The Dacians, led by King Decebalus, had united neighboring tribes, posing a formidable challenge. After initial setbacks, Domitian achieved a decisive victory—yet instead of pressing further, he negotiated a controversial peace.

The treaty (likely around AD 94) required Rome to pay an annual tribute—a humiliating concession for a empire that prided itself on military supremacy. Though the sum was nominal (two asses per captive), the symbolic surrender outraged Roman sensibilities. Domitian justified it as a pragmatic move to stabilize the frontier, but critics saw weakness.

The Legacy of Domitian’s Policies

Despite his unpopularity, many of Domitian’s policies endured. His reorganization of Danube provinces strengthened Rome’s defenses, and his educational reforms—guided by the rhetorician Quintilian—shaped Roman pedagogy for centuries. The Institutio Oratoria, commissioned by Domitian, became a foundational text in classical education.

Yet his heavy-handed rule alienated the Senate. The use of delatores (informers) to purge political enemies fostered an atmosphere of fear. By AD 96, discontent culminated in his assassination—orchestrated by his own household. The Senate swiftly condemned his memory (damnatio memoriae), erasing his name from official records.

Conclusion: A Divisive Emperor Reassessed

Domitian remains one of Rome’s most polarizing figures. Modern historians recognize his administrative and military achievements, yet his authoritarianism and paranoia overshadowed his reign. The Saturninus revolt, the Dacian peace, and his eventual downfall reveal a ruler both capable and deeply flawed—a cautionary tale of power’s corrosive effects.

His successors, particularly Trajan, built upon his frontier policies while distancing themselves from his tyranny. In death, Domitian became a symbol of imperial excess—a warning against unchecked autocracy in the Roman world.