A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology

was cousin to the emperor Domitian, and his colleague in the consulship, A. D. 95, and married Domitilla, also a relation of Domitian. His father was Flavius Sabinus, the elder brother of the emperor Vespasian, and his brother Flavius Sabinus, who was put to death by Domitian. (Suet. Domit. 10.) Domitian had destined the sons of Clemens to succeed him in the empire, and, changing their original names had called one Vespasian and the other Domitian; but he subsequently put Clemens to death during the consulship of the latter. (Suet. Domit. 15.) Dio Cassius says (67.14), that Clemens was put to death on a charge of atheism, for which, he adds, many others who went over to the Jewish opinions were executed. This must imply that he had become a Christian; and for the same reason his wife was banished to Pandataria by Domitian. (Comp. Philostr. Apoll. 8.15; Euseb. Hist. Eccl. 3.14; Hieronym. Ep. 27.) To this Clemens in all probability is dedicated the church of St. Clement at Rome, on the Caelian hill, which is believed to have been built originally in the fifth century, although its site is now occupied by a more recent, though very ancient, structure. In the year 1725 Cardinal Annibal Albani found under this church an inscription in honour of Flavius Clemens, martyr, which is described in a work called T. Flavii Clementis Viri Consularis et Martyris Tumulus illustratus, Urbino, 1727. Some connect him with the author of the Epistle to the Corinthians. [CLEMENS ROMANUS.]

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