Domitian's tendency towards micromanagement is nowhere more evident than in his financial policy.
The question of whether Domitian left the Roman Empire in debt or with a surplus at the time of his death has been fiercely debated.
However the evidence points to a balanced economy for the greater part of Domitian's reign.
Upon his accession, he had revalued the Roman currency dramatically, increasing the silver purity of the denarius from ninety to ninety-eight percent—the actual silver weight increasing from 2.87 grams to 3.26 grams.
However, a financial crisis in 85 forces a devaluation of the silver purity and weight to 93.5% and 3.04 grams respectively.
Nevertheless, the new values are still higher than the levels which Vespasian and Titus had maintained during their reigns.
Domitian's rigorous taxation policy ensures that this standard is sustained for the following eleven years.
Coinage from this era displays a highly consistent degree of quality including meticulous attention to Domitian's titulature and refined artwork on the reverse portraits.
Domitian firmly believes in the traditional Roman religion, and personally sees to it that ancient customs and morals are observed throughout his reign.
In order to justify the divine nature of the Flavian rule, Domitian emphasizes connections with the chief deity Jupiter, perhaps most significantly through the impressive restoration of the Temple of Jupiter on the Capitoline Hill.
A small chapel dedicated to Jupiter Conservator is also constructed near the house where Domitian had fled to safety on 20 December, 69.
Later in his reign, he replaces it with a more expansive building, dedicated to Jupiter Custos.
The goddess he worships the most zealously, however, is Minerva.
Not only does he keep a personal shrine dedicated to her in his bedroom, she regularly appears on his coinage—in four different attested reverse types—and he has founded a legion, Legio I Minervia, in her name.
Domitian also revives the practice of the imperial cult, which had fallen somewhat out of use under Vespasian.
Significantly, his first act as an Emperor had been the deification of his brother Titus.
Upon their deaths, his infant son, and niece, Julia Flavia, were likewise enrolled among the gods.
To foster the worship of the imperial family, he erects a dynastic mausoleum on the site of Vespasian's former house on the Quirinal, and completes the Temple of Vespasian and Titus, a shrine dedicated to the worship of his deified father and brother.
To memorialize the military triumphs of the Flavian family, he orders the construction of the Templum Divorum and the Templum Fortuna Redux, and completes the Arch of Titus.
Construction projects such as these constitute only the most visible part of Domitian's religious policy, which also concerns itself with the fulfillment of religious law and public morals.
In 85, he nominates himself perpetual censor, the office charged with the task of supervising Roman morals and conduct.
