Final answer:
Domitian was the third and last emperor of the Flavian Dynasty, ruling from 81 to 96 CE. Known for his despotic rule and paranoia, his reign saw significant building projects but ended in assassination. His father, Vespasian, started the Flavian legacy by securing the throne through military support and initiating important constructions like the Colosseum.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Last Emperor of the Flavian Dynasty
The third and final emperor of the Flavian Dynasty was Domitian. He followed in the footsteps of his father Vespasian and older brother Titus, ruling from 81 to 96 CE. Domitian was notorious for his authoritarian regime, creating a climate of fear through the murder of senators and elites who opposed him, and his demand to be addressed as 'dominus et deus' (lord and god). His reign was marked by significant building projects, such as roads and fortifications, and a stable administration. However, his increasing paranoia led to his assassination in 96 CE, orchestrated by members of the court and Senate.
Domitian's father, Vespasian, had no legal claim to the throne but was strategic in his rise to power through support from his armies. He is celebrated for restoring financial stability and performing significant construction in Rome, including beginning the Colosseum. This shift highlighted the power of the military in political dynamics, a factor that would continue to influence Roman leadership thereafter.
Predecessors of the Flavian Dynasty included the Julio-Claudian emperors, such as Tiberius and Claudius, whose rules were characterized by their own sets of challenges and achievements, from consolidating power within a particular familial line to large-scale public works and dealing with inner Senate conflicts.