Domitian (Those About to Die)

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Evil-doer
Full Name	Tiberius Flavius Domitianus
Alias	Domitian Flavianus
Origin	Those About to Die
Occupation	Aedile Ludi (Master of Games); Later: Emperor of Rome
Powers / Skills	Organizing spectacles and public games Political manipulation Public relations / Popular appeal
Goals	Seize recognition and power. Win his father's approval. Secure the throne by any means.
Crimes	Murder Torture Conspiracy Political betrayal
Type of Villain	Ambitious Tyrant

“

Titus: Yes, well, I would have taken care of the mob. Domitian: You can't solve every problem with your sword. They needed food for their guts, not gutting. Titus: It's arriving. It's there tomorrow. Domitian: So you keep telling us. Better I entertain them than your legionaries kill them.

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Domitian (Latin: Tiberius Flavius Domitianus) is the main antagonist of the 2024 historical drama series Those About to Die. He serves as the cunning and sadistic younger son of Emperor Vespasian and the brother of Titus. Though initially dismissed as the idle and insecure sibling, Domitian manipulates his way into power through intrigue, spectacle, and violence. He is portrayed by Jojo Macari.

Biography

Domitian Flavianus is the youngest son of Vespasian and the brother of the celebrated general Titus. Overshadowed by Titus’s military fame and his father’s authority, Domitian learns early that he must create his own power base. He finds it in Rome’s arenas: as the city’s Master of Games he arranges gladiatorial contests, beast hunts, and elaborate executions that both entertain the populace and test — and break — his enemies.

Domitian’s private life is as transactional as his public one. He keeps a young Greek slave and lover, Hermes, whom he treats with contempt even while displaying him as a trophy of status. When Hermes’ network of informants uncovers a plot implicating certain factions loyal to Titus and his Judean mistress Berenice, Domitian seizes the chance to stage a brutal public punishment — throwing accused conspirators to a lion during a spectacle — deliberately widening the rift between Titus and Berenice and positioning himself as the stabilizing (and fearsome) alternative.

When Hermes is later discovered in an illicit affair, Domitian reacts with calculated cruelty: he imprisons Hermes, silences him, and makes an example of him in a way that sends a message to anyone who would betray or embarrass Domitian. Domitian’s reach and cold efficiency culminate in a conspiracy with the ambitious Tenax to remove Titus from the line of succession. Through guile and theatrical cruelty (notably the use of staged executions during the Colosseum opening ceremonies), Domitian manufactures fear in the Senate and washes his path to the throne with the spectacle that made him powerful.

By manipulating public sentiment and striking ruthlessly against anyone who threatens him, Domitian ultimately crowns himself Emperor — a triumph born as much of his talent for administration and spectacle as of his willingness to commit atrocities to secure his place.