Part 5/11:
To understand the full weight of the Black Banquet, one must delve into the character of Domitian, who became Emperor in 81 AD, succeeding his father and brother. Both of his predecessors were seen as hero figures; consequently, Domitian's reign was overshadowed by their legacies. While his reign lasted 15 years, the Roman Senate sought to obliterate any trace of him following his assassination in 96 AD. This resulted in a lost legacy, often depicted only through the lens of his detractors.