Page "Domitian" Paragraph 17

In Rome meanwhile, Domitian was placed under house arrest by Vitellius, as a safeguard against future Flavian aggression.

Support for the old emperor was waning however, as more legions throughout the empire pledged their allegiance to Vespasian.

On 24 October 69 the forces of Vitellius and Vespasian clashed at the Second Battle of Bedriacum, which ended in a crushing defeat for the armies of Vitellius.

In despair, he attempted to negotiate a surrender.

Terms of peace, including a voluntary abdication, were agreed upon with Titus Flavius Sabinus II, but the soldiers of the Praetorian Guard — the imperial bodyguard — considered such a resignation disgraceful, and prevented Vitellius from carrying out the treaty.

On the morning of 18 December, the emperor appeared to deposit the imperial insignia at the Temple of Concord, but at the last minute retraced his steps to the Imperial palace.

In the confusion, the leading men of the state gathered at Sabinus ' house, proclaiming Vespasian as Emperor, but the multitude dispersed when Vitellian cohorts clashed with the armed escort of Sabinus, who was forced to retreat to the Capitoline Hill.

During the night, he was joined by his relatives, including Domitian.

The armies of Mucianus were nearing Rome, but the besieged Flavian party did not hold out for longer than a day.

On 19 December, Vitellianists burst onto the Capitol, and in the resulting skirmish, Sabinus was captured and executed.

Domitian himself managed to escape by disguising himself as a worshipper of Isis, and spent the night in safety with one of his father's supporters.

By the afternoon of 20 December Vitellius was dead, his armies having been defeated by the Flavian legions.

With nothing more to be feared from the enemy, Domitian came forward to meet the invading forces ; he was universally saluted by the title of Caesar, and the mass of troops conducted him to his father's house.

The following day, 21 December, the Senate proclaimed Vespasian emperor of the Roman Empire.