Domitian was assassinated

Domitian was assassinated on September 18, 96, in a plot orchestrated by court officials. Suetonius provides a thorough account of the plan and the assassination. He claims that Domitian's chamberlain Parthenius was the principal plotter, and historian John Grainger suggests that Parthenius was motivated by his fear of Domitian's recent death of Nero's former secretary Epaphroditus. The deed was carried out by Maximus, a freedman of Parthenius, and Stephanus, a steward of Domitian's niece Flavia Domitilla. A multitude of omens, according to Suetonius, foreshadowed Domitian's demise. Larginus Proclus, a Germanic soothsayer, foretold Domitian's death date and was so sentenced to death by him.

Minerva had appeared to the Emperor in a dream some days before the assassination. She declared that she had been disarmed by Jupiter and could no longer guard Domitian. The Emperor expected to die at lunchtime, according to an auspice he had received. As a result, he was always agitated around that period. Domitian was worried on the day of the assassination and constantly asked a servant what time it was. The servant, who was a plotter himself, lied to the monarch, telling him it was already late in the day. The Emperor, apparently at ease, walked to his desk to sign some decrees. Stephanus, who had been feigning an injury to his arm for several days and wearing a bandage to allow him to carry a concealed dagger, suddenly appeared. Stephanus, who had been pretending an arm injury and wearing a bandage to conceal a blade for several days, suddenly arrived.

Stephanus and Domitian had fought on the floor during the attack, during which Stephanus was stabbed by the emperor and died shortly afterward. Domitian's body was carried away on a common bier and burned unceremoniously by his nurse Phyllis. She afterward transported the emperor's ashes to the Flavian Temple and interred them besides those of his niece, Julia. He was 44 years old at the time. His death occurred around midday, as predicted.