HUM 493 / REL 493 - Intermediate Latin
Course Notes - Week 14 - part 2
Domitia and Paris
Domitia was the daughter of one of Nero's generals. She married Domitian in AD 71. Domitian became Emperor in AD 81.
Paris was a famous pantomime actor and a favorite of the imperial household.
"Paris" was probably not his real name, but his stage name - it seems to have been used by several actors.
Epaphroditus was one of Nero's freedmen who rose to the position of "Secretary in charge of Petitions" for Nero and then for Domitian.
Most of the details of the stories as given in the Cambridge Course are fictitious.
The account of Domitia's affair with Paris was recorded by Suetonius, in his "Life of Domitian"
Domitian was the second son of Vespasian. He became emperor when his brother Titus died in AD 81 (he may have had a part in the death of Titus).
When he became Emperor, Domitian ruled by terror and cruelty. He took the title of "Dominus et Deus".
Domitian exiled Domitia in AD 83, after her affair with Paris was discovered. He then took his niece Flavia Julia, widow of the consul Sabinus, as his mistress.
In AD 84 he allowed Domitia to return, and the three of them lived together until Julia died (so it is said) after a failed abortion. (Suetonius, Juvenal)
Eventually there was a conspiracy against Domitian, in which it is said that Domitia herself played an active part, resulting in his murder in AD 96.
The real Myropnous was a musician who lived later than the time of the story (2nd century AD
There is no record of Salvius' involvement in the affair of Domitia and Paris.
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