Gnaeus Domitius Ahenobarbus (consul 32)

:"For others of this family, see Ahenobarbus."Gnaeus Domitius Ahenobarbus (11 December, 17 BC - January 40) was a close relative to the Roman Emperors of the Julio-Claudian dynasty. Domitius was the only son to Antonia Major (niece of Roman Emperor Augustus and daughter to Augustus' sister Octavia Minor to triumvir Mark Antony) and Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus (consul 16 BC). His only siblings were Domitia and Domitia Lepida, mother of the Empress Valeria Messalina. He was a brother-in-law and second cousin to Roman Emperor Caligula; first cousin to Roman Emperor Claudius and the biological father to Roman Emperor Nero.Citation | last = Smith | first = William | author-link = William Smith (lexicographer) | contribution = Ahenobarbus (10), Gnaeus Ahenobarbus | editor-last = Smith | editor-first = William | title = Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology | volume = 1 | pages = 86 | publisher = Little, Brown and Company | place = Boston | year = 1867 | contribution-url = http://www.ancientlibrary.com/smith-bio/0095.html ]

Life

Domitius was thus related to several notable figures who would dominate the Roman Empire during the 1st century. Suetonius describes him as ‘despicable and dishonest’. As a young man, Domitius was serving on the staff of his second cousin Gaius Caesar in the East. Gaius was a son of Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa and Julia the Elder, daughter to the previously mentioned Augustus. Domitius fortified their friendship by killing his freedman. The reported reason was that the freedman did not get as drunk as Domitius did. On the Appian Way, Domitius was reported of having deliberately run over a child who was playing with his doll. At the Roman Forum, Domitius reportedly pulled out an eye of a knight because the knight openly criticized him.

Domitius cheated on bankers for purchases he made. When Praetor, Domitius would swindle the prize money of victorious charioteers. Managers would complain, but Domitius decreed that future prizes would be paid on the spot. Domitius was also considered a serious womanizer. Emperor Tiberius charged him with treason, adultery and incest with his sister and also with adultery with another noblewoman, but the ascension of Caligula saved him.

Domitius married his second cousin Julia Agrippina after her thirteenth birthday in 28. Tiberius arranged and ordered the marriage which was celebrated at the Capital, Rome. Domitius was wealthy but apparently chose to live between Antium (Anzio) and Rome.

Domitius was Consul in 32 and appointed by Tiberius as a commissioner in early 37. His son Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus (Nero) was born on 15 December 37 in Antium. According to Suetonius, he was congratulated by his friends for the birth of his son and Domitius said any child born to him and his wife would have a detestable nature and become a public danger. He died of edema at Pyrgi (an ancient Etruscan city) in January 40. In Domitius' will Lucius inherited 1/3 of his estate. But Caligula, who was also mentioned in the will, took Lucius' inheritance for himself. When Claudius became Emperor, Lucius' inheritance was restored. [Suetonius, "Nero" 5, 6] [Tacitus, "Annales" iv. 75, vi. 1, 47, xii. 64] [Marcus Velleius Paterculus ii. 72] [Cassius Dio, lviii. 17]

Legacy

During his lifetime, Domitius did not enjoy a good reputation. He was accused of being the ac­complice of Albucilla in the crimes of adultery and murder, and also of incest with his sister Domitia Lepida, and narrowly escaped execution only because of the death of Tiberius.

His widow Agrippina later married her widowed uncle Claudius. Lucius was adopted by the elderly Emperor as "Nero Claudius Caesar Drusus Germanicus". When Claudius died on October 13, 54, Lucius succeeded him as "Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus". Nero exalted Domitius’ memory and the Roman Senate arranged for the construction of his statue in 55.

References