Arch of Titus (detail), Rome, C1AD

Image here via https://colosseum.info/arch-of-titus/

After the psycho-drama of the Julio-Claudians, the Flavians brought Rome some much-needed stability… for a while at least.

Established by Vespasian, a plain-speaking common-born military man, the dynasty could not fall back upon illustrious genealogy or divine ancestors. “Caesar” was a now a title rather than a family name, not least because the last lot had completely wiped themselves out.

Things could only get better. Military successes and elaborate building projects made Romans feel good about themselves again. Vespasian even had a heroic eldest son, Titus, with whom he shared power in his later years.

And then it all went wrong. Titus had barely begun his reign when Vesuvius blew its top, and then he died after just two years as emperor. He was succeeded by his younger brother, Domitian. That was when things really started to go wrong - at least according to the Roman historians. Domitian’s reign of terror supposedly put the paranoia, denunciations, and treason trials of all his imperial predecessors to shame. So we are told by those who actually lived through these terrifying times.

…And once again, we will quite properly ask whether it’s all just a case of bad PR.

RJW F2437 Online (via Zoom)

A 5-hour short course, delivered via 2 x 2½-hour sessions on consecutive Wednesdays (Wednesday 20 & Wednesday 27 November, 2.00-4.30).

£40 (individual registration); £72 (for two people sharing one screen).