Domitia Longina

Domitia Longina or Domitia (c. 53 - Between 126-130) was a Roman Noble woman.

Domitia was the youngest daughter to Roman General, Consul Gnaeus Domitius Corbulo and Cassia Longina. Her elder sister Domitia Corbula married the senator Lucius Annius Vinicianus. Her paternal aunt was Roman Empress Milonia Caesonia.

Before 70, Domitia married Lucius Aelius Plautius Lamia Aelianus, a man of Senatorial rank. By then Vespasian, became Roman Emperor. His second son and youngest child was Domitian.

According to Suetonius, Domitian had many affairs with women. Domitian was attracted to Domitia and became infatuated with her. Domitian took Domitia away from Lamia and forced them to divorce. Domitian had later executed Lamia on certain suspicions. Later that year Domitian married Domitia.

Domitia bore Domitian two children, a son in 71 and a daughter in 74. The son was called Titus Flavius and died in 81. Flavius received divine honors. The daughter, whose name is unknown, also died young.

In 81, Domitian became the new Roman Emperor and Domitia became the new Roman Empress. Domitian awarded Domitia the title of Augusta.

Domitian was fond of Domitia and they travelled together. Domitia in 83, had an affair with an actor called Paris. Suetonius states that Domitian was a womaniser and was always accompanied by other women. There were times Domitia would join Domitian and his mistresses. Domitia wasn’t jealous, yet the Emperor didn’t tolerate his wife having affairs. Paris was executed, Domitia was exiled and Domitian divorced Domitia, who never remarried.

During her exile, she remained close to Roman Politics. Domitian in 91, recalled Domitia from exile to Rome as a Roman Empress. Suetonius stated when Domitian wanted to reunite with Domitia, he describe it as ‘a recall to my divine bed’.

In 96, she was involved in the plot to murder Domitian. After 126 and before 140, there was a temple dedicated to Domitia in Gabii. Years after Domitian's death, Domitia still referred to herself as an Emperor’s wife. This may indicate that she still had some feelings towards the late Emperor. She died peacefully. Some coins of her were minted during Domitian’s reign.

Sources

• Suetonius - The Twelve Caesars - Domitian
• http://www.roman-emperors.org/domitian.htm
• http://www.livius.org/do-dz/domitian/domitia.html