The Life and Times of Domitian

As the son of Vespasian, he had enormous value and was assigned the task of representing his father's interest in the Senate. Domitian endured their endless speeches all the while longing to get out of this sideshow and onto the main stage. Like most young men of his age and ambition, Domitian craved the opportunity to prove himself in the field of battle. He jumped at the chance to join Musianus as the imperial administrator raised reinforcements to lead north to crush the Batavian revolt. By the time he was old enough to join the legions in his own right, the whole empire was turned upside down.