Was Domitian a despot? Jones argues that the Court rather than the Senate was the centre of Domitian's power and of his cultural ambitions. This is the first biography of the ruler ever to appear in English.

Preface 1. EARLY CAREER Family and Social Mobility Patronage Flavians at Court Education Aftermath of Civil War Role Before Accession 2. COURT I Aspects of Domitians's Court Courtiers: Family 3. COURT II Amici Freedmen Other Courtiers 4. ADMINISTRATION I Economy Building Programme 5.ADMINISTRATION II The Individual Provinces Opposition 6. WAR I Chatti Britain Danube First Dacian War, 84/85 Africa Second Dacian War, 86 7. WAR II Saturninus's Revolt Chatti, 89 First Pannonian War, 89 Second Pannonian War, 92 Third Pannonian War, 95 The East 8. ARISTOCRACY I Senators Power Set Equestrians 9. ARISTOCRACY II Relationship with the Senate Consular Victims Exiles Summary 10. CONCLUSION Assasination Character BIBLIOGRAPHY INDEXES