A few months after the death of Clemens, and the banishment of Domitilla, Stephen, a freedman belonging to the latter, who had enjoyed the favor, but who had not surely embraced the faith, of his mistress, [54a] assassinated the emperor in his palace.

[55] The memory of Domitian was condemned by the senate; his acts were rescinded; his exiles recalled; and under the gentle administration of Nerva, while the innocent were restored to their rank and fortunes, even the most guilty either obtained pardon or escaped punishment.

[56] [Footnote 53: The Isle of Pandataria, according to Dion.

Bruttius Praesens (apud Euseb.iii.

18) banishes her to that of Pontia, which was not far distant from the other.