17
I have one more astonishing fact to record, which I shall touch on after I have given the account of Domitian's end. As soon as he rose to leave the courthouse and was ready to take his afternoon nap, as was his custom, first Parthenius took the blade out of the sword, which always lay under his pillow, so that he should not have the use of that. Next he sent in Stephanus, who was stronger then the rest. The latter smote Domitian, and though it was not an opportune blow the emperor was knocked to the ground, where he lay. Then, fearing an escape, Parthenius leaped in, or, as some believe, he sent in Maximus, a freedman. Thus both Domitian was murdered, and Stephanus perished likewise in a rush that those who had not shared in the conspiracy made upon him.
18
The matter of which I spoke, saying that it surprises me more than anything else, is this. A certain Apollonius of Tyana on the very day and at that very hour when Domitian was being murdered (this was later confirmed by other events that happened in both places) climbed a lofty stone at Ephesus (or possibly some other town) and having gathered the populace, uttered these words: "Bravo, Stephanus! Good, Stephanus! Smite the wretch! You have struck, you have wounded, you have killed him!!" This is what really took place, though there should be ten thousand doubters. Domitian had lived forty-four years, ten months, and twenty-six days. His reign had lasted fifteen years and five days. His body was stolen away and buried by his nurse, Phyllis.
68
Most of Domitian's measures are annulled (chapter [1] ).
The excellencies of Nerva Augustus Caesar: his kindness to Verginius (chapter [2] ).
The conspiracy of Crassus: rebellion of the Pretorians: adoption of Trajan (chapter [3] ).
Birthplace and praise of Trajan: Nerva dies (chapter [4] ).
How Trajan entered upon his sovereignty (chapter [5] ).
He undertakes a war against Decebalus, proving himself formidable to the latter but worthy the affection of his own people (chapters [6], [7] ).
He conquers the Dacians and holds a triumph over them (chapters [8], [9], [10] ).
A second war against the Dacians (chapters [11], [12] ).
How Trajan saddled the Danube with a stone bridge (chapter [13] ).
With the disappearance from the scene of Decebalus the Dacians are reduced to the condition of a province: Arabia is taken (chapter [14] ).
Embassies: the Pontine marshes filled: statues to the well-deserving: the column of Trajan (chapters [15], [16] ).
Campaign against the Parthians on account of the expulsion of Exedares from Armenia and the introduction there of Parthomasiris (chapters [17], [18] ).
Parthomasiris gains access to Trajan and Armenia is taken away from him (chapters [19], [20] ).
How Abgarus the Osrhoenian obtained pardon from Trajan (chapter [21] ).
About the envoys of Mannus and Manisarus sent to Trajan (chapter [22] ).
Trajan is named Optimus, and, after the capture of Nisibis and Batnae, Parthicus (chapter [23] ).
About the huge earthquake at Antioch (chapters [24], [25] ).
After the bridging of the Tigris he reduces Adiabene, Mesopotamia, and Ctesiphon (chapters [26], [27], [28] ).
He loses and regains several districts: he bestows a king upon the Parthians (chapters [29], [30] ).
He besieges the Atreni without result (chapter [31] ).
The Jews in Cyrene, Egypt, and Cyprus rebel, and are crushed, chiefly through the activity of Lusius (chapter [32] ).
The Parthians cast out the king imposed upon them: Trajan dies (chapter [33] ).