Domitia Longina

Domitia Longina ( * before 55; † 126-140 ) was a Roman matron and wife of the Emperor Domitian.

Domitia Longina was the daughter of Gnaeus Domitius Corbulo General, who was driven to suicide by Nero in the year 67, and his wife Cassia Longina. No later than 69 she was married to Lucius Aelius Plautius Lamia Aelianus, however, caught the attention of Domitian, the son of the emperor Vespasian. A short time later she was taken away from her husband and married in the year 70 with the future emperor. They were given in 73 ( 71 according to other sources ) a son and three years later a daughter, but both died young. In 81 Domitia the title of Augusta was awarded.

Domitian loved his wife and took her on all his travels, but was still often seen in the company of other women and held a huge number of lovers. At the same time he tolerated no means a similar freedom in his wife. There were rumors that she had cheated on her husband with his brother Titus. In 83 Domitia Longinas affair with the actor Paris was uncovered. Paris was executed and Domitia received the letter of divorce. She was banished, but still remained in the vicinity of Domitian and the Roman policy. In 96 they played a decisive role in the success of the assassination plot against the unpopular emperor. Domitia Longinas name is still occupied by the year 126 bricks. She died before the year 140, in which her freedmen built a temple in Gabii.

Her image often appears on coins from the time of Domitian's reign.

Swell

• Cassius Dio, Roman History Book 67 - English translation
• Suetonius, The Lives of Twelve Caesars, Life of Domitian - Latin text with English translation
• Tacitus, The Histories - English translation
• Josephus