Gnaeus Domitius Ahenobarbus (11 December, 17 BC - January 40 AD) 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 Caesar Augustus and daughter to Augustus' sister Octavia Minor to Mark Antony) and Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus. His only siblings were Domitia Lepida Major and Domitia Lepida Minor, mother of the Empress Valeria Messalina.

Notable relatives

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Domitius' maternal aunts included Antonia Minor, Cleopatra Selene, Claudia Marcella Major, Claudia Marcella Minor. His maternal uncles included Marcus Antonius Antyllus, Iullus Antonius, Alexander Helios and Ptolemy Philadelphus and Marcellus.

Domitius was thus first cousin to among others Vipsania Marcella, Lucius Antonius, Appuleia Varilla, Germanicus, Livilla, Claudius, Ptolemy of Mauretania, Drusilla of Mauretania, Claudia Pulchra and Marcus Valerius Messalla Barbatus.

Domitius was also first cousin once removed to their children. A group including among others Julia Livilla, Drusilla, Agrippina the younger, Drusus Caesar, Nero Caesar, Caligula, Claudia Julia, Tiberius Gemellus and allegedly Julia Venissa.

Life account

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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 son of Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa and Julia the Elder, daughter to the previously mentioned Caesar 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. Tiberius charged him with treason, adultery and incest with his sister and charged him with adultery with another noble woman but, the ascension of Caligula saved him. Domitius was also considered a serious womanizer.

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

Domitius was Consul in 32 AD and appointed by Tiberius as a commissioner in early 37 AD.

His son Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus (Nero) was born on 15 December, 37 AD 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 dropsy at Pyrgi (an ancient Etruscan city) in January, 40 AD. 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.

Legacy

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Domitius' widow Agrippina later married her widowed uncle Claudius. Lucius was adopted by the elderly Emperor as "Nero Claudius Caesar Drusus". 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 AD.

On the Ara Pacis (an altar from the Augustan Era), displays Gnaeus Domitius Ahenobarbus and his elder sister Domitia Lepida Major. The woman behind Domitia and Domitius is their mother Antonia Major and the man next to Antonia Major is her husband Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus. This can be seen at http://www.indiana.edu/~leach/c414/2005/arapacis3.jpg .

17 BC births | 40 deaths | Imperial Roman consuls | Julio-Claudian Dynasty | Gnaeus Domitius Ahenobarbus (consul -32) | Gnejusz Domicjusz Ahenobarbus (konsul 32 n.e.)