Flavia Domitilla (c. 60–96)

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Flavia Domitilla (c. 60–96)

Roman noblewoman. Born around 60; executed in 96; dau. of Q. Petillius Cerialis Caesius Rufus, known as Petillius, and Flavia Domitilla (fl. 60 ce); m. T. Flavius Clemens; children: sons T. Flavius Domitianus Caesar and T. Flavius Vespasianus Caesar.

The granddaughter of one emperor (Vespasian) and niece of two others (Titus and Domitian), was about 10 when family began its imperial odyssey; married T. Flavius Clemens, probably early in the reign of Domitian (r. 81–96), which helped to consolidate Flavian power, because Clemens was the grandson of Vespasian's older brother; when the increasingly paranoid Domitian learned of her husband's intellectual interest in an "atheistic" religious doctrine, was exiled to the small island of Pandateria while husband was executed. Following her execution (96), Stephanus, one of her stewards, killed Domitian.

See also Women in World History.