Domitian (sep 14, 81 – sep 18, 96)
Description:
Domitian (Titus's younger brother) was emperor from 81 to 96 C.E., was the first Roman ruler to demand worship as a god. By his time, the Romans had distinguished Christians from Jews and opposed what was viewed as a new cult. It was likely during Domitian’s reign that the apostle John was exiled on the isle of Patmos for “bearing witness to Jesus.”—Rev. 1:9.The book of Revelation was penned during John’s exile. Therein, he refers to Antipas, a Christian killed in Pergamum, an important center of emperor worship. (Rev. 2:12, 13) By then, the imperial government may have begun to demand that Christians perform the rituals of the State religion.
Added to timeline:
Date:
sep 14, 81
sep 18, 96
~ 15 years