Was the Flavian Period Peak Rome?

A History of Mankind (258)

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Domitian’s downfall cast a shadow on his family, a dynasty that represented a turn to efficiency and good governance after the downright clownish reigns of several members of Augustus’ clan.

Despite abundant anti-Flavian propaganda in decades to come, most Roman emperors of the 4^th century attached the name Flavius to their own, seeking the added legitimacy such a name conferred, as did the Ostrogoth Theodoric in the 5^th century; likewise, Lombard kings of Italy used “Flavius” as regal title, not unlike “Caesar” or “Augustus” since the late 6^th century.

Indeed, the Flavian era in many senses represents peak Rome, with some of the most spectacular examples of Roman art and architecture dating from the period kicked off by Vespasian. These include of course the Colosseum and the Flavian Palace on Rome’s Palatine Hill completed under Domitian, as well as impressive Aqueduct of Segovia – started under Domitian, still standing and fully functioning until 1973.