A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology

A few coins are extant in second brass, which exhibit on the obverse a laurelled head, with the legend, IMP. C. L. DOMITIUS. DOMITIANUS. AUG.; on the reverse, the representation of a Genius, with GENIO. POPULI. ROMANI.; and below, the letters ALE., indicating that they were struck at Alexandria. We find also a very rare Alexandrian third brass, with a rayed head, and the words ΔΟΜΙΤΙΑΝΟΣ ΣΕΒ. These pieces have been generally supposed to belong to the Domitianus mentioned by Trebellius Pollio, as the general who vanquished the two Macriani, who is described as a man of lofty amnbition, deducing his origin from the son of Vespasian, and is believed to be the same with the Domitianus put to death by Aurelian, according to Zosimus, in consequence of a suspicion that he was meditating rebellion. Eckhel, however, has demonstrated, from numismatical considerations, that the Latin medals, at least, cannot be earlier than the epoch of Diocletian, or his immediate successors, and therefore must commemorate the usurpation of some pretender unknown to history. (Trebell. Poll. Gallien. duo, 100.2; Trigint. Tyrann. 100.12; Zosim. 1.49; Eckhel, vol. viii. p. 41.)

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