Flavia Domitilla
This freedwoman accompanies the group of Roman patrician women favorable to Jesus (Plautina, Valeria, and Lydia). She stands in the shadow of Albula Domitilla, another freedwoman, whom Claudia Procula calls "a second myself."[1]
Flavia serves as the "stenographer" in various meetings to keep the words of Jesus. She is seen participating, during the 3rd Passover, in the Banquet of charity given by Johanna of Chuza. She notes, on behalf of the Roman women, the teaching of Jesus about his Kingdom.[2]
The interest of this rather discreet character lies in her historical resonance (see the section "Learn more about this character" below).
Where is she mentioned in the work?
EMV 204
EMV 370 EMV 371 EMV 378
Learn more about this character
The context, as well as the closeness to Albula Domitilla, already identified historically, indicate that this is Flavia Domitilla. She was the daughter of Albula Domitilla and Flavius Liberalis, a simple clerk to the treasurer of the "X Fretensis" legion, stationed in Syria and Palestine.[3] For a time mistress of a Roman knight, she married a plebeian of exceptional destiny: Vespasian, the future emperor.
At the request of her father, Flavia benefited from a reinstatement judgment that restored to her, with full freedom, Roman citizenship rights. She had three children, Titus, Domitian, and Domitilla. The latter was the mother of Saint Domitilla, exiled as a Christian by order of her uncle. Saint Domitilla is celebrated on May 7. Flavia died before her husband Vespasian became emperor.[4] Her eldest son, Emperor Titus, married Plautilla, the daughter of Aulus Plautius and Plautina, a patrician woman mentioned by Maria Valtorta.