Domícia Longina: gênero, agência e poder na Roma imperial no século I d. C.

Abstract

This thesis addresses feninine’s gender in the context of the Roman Empire during the 1st century AD, with a special focus on Domitia Longina, the wife of Emperor Domitian, who ruled from 81 to 96 AD. The research explores the political agency and power of women, particularly through the analysis of the granting of the title of Augusta to the first ladies of the imperial dynasty. Additionally, it examines the role of imperial honors as mechanisms for conferring and legitimizing female political influence. In parallel, the study investigates exile as a relevant tool for controlling political dynamics within the Roman aristocracy. Domitia Longina stands out in this research due to her connections within senatorial family networks, being a direct descendant of the first Emperor Augustus and the daughter of a general. These connections played a crucial role in her life and subsequent marriages. Despite facing an accusation of adultery, she was later reinstated in the imperial domus. It is noteworthy that she had a son who was deified and was the owner of a profitable pottery business near Rome. She survived the assassination of her husband and continued to receive honors in the subsequent dynasty. The combination of these actions and circumstances provides a solid foundation for reflections on the limits of political, economic, and social influence of women in 1st-century AD Rome. Even though representing a minority segment of society, women played significant and multifaceted roles during this period.