Page "Domitian" Paragraph 20

Equally curtailed by Mucianus were Domitian's military ambitions.

The civil war of 69 had severely destabilized the provinces, leading to several local uprisings such as the Batavian revolt in Gaul.

Batavian auxiliaries of the Rhine legions, led by Gaius Julius Civilis, had rebelled with the aid of a faction of Treveri under the command of Julius Classicus.

Seven legions were sent from Rome, led by Vespasian's brother-in-law Quintus Petillius Cerialis.

Although the revolt was quickly suppressed, exaggerated reports of disaster prompted Mucianus to depart the capital with reinforcements of his own.

Domitian eagerly sought the opportunity to attain military glory and joined the other officers with the intention of commanding a legion of his own.

According to Tacitus, Mucianus was not keen on this prospect but since he considered Domitian a liability in any capacity that was entrusted to him, he preferred to keep him close at hand rather than in Rome.

When news arrived of Cerialis ' victory over Civilis, Mucianus tactfully dissuaded Domitian from pursuing further military endeavours.

Domitian then wrote to Cerialis personally, suggesting he hand over command of his army but, once again, he was snubbed.

With the return of Vespasian in late September, his political role was rendered all but obsolete and Domitian withdrew from government devoting his time to arts and literature.