ABSTRACT
By 68 AD, when the fall of Nero signalled the end of the Julio-Claudian dynasty, the main heads of punishment were in place, even though only in embryonic form in some respects. In a certain sense, therefore, emperors from Vespasian to Severus Alexander presided over the consolidation of penal categories rather than over further innovations. It is therefore quite logical for us to turn to a thematic presentation, focusing on some key features of the consolidation rather than on developments under individual rulers. But before addressing that it is proposed to say something about Domitian’s punitive policy, some features of which need closer attention than they have hitherto received.1 This will be followed by four chapters on themes.
