| Vitellius | |||||||||
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.jpg) Aureus of Vitellius minted in January–April 69 | |||||||||
| Roman emperor | |||||||||
| Reign | 19 April – 20 December 69 | ||||||||
| Predecessor | Otho | ||||||||
| Successor | Vespasian | ||||||||
| Born | 24 September 15[1] Nuceria Alfaterna, Italy, Roman Empire | ||||||||
| Died | 20 December 69 (aged 54)[4] Rome, Italy, Roman Empire | ||||||||
| Spouses | Petronia Galeria Fundana | ||||||||
| Issue Detail |
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| Father | Lucius Vitellius | ||||||||
| Mother | Sextilia | ||||||||
| Roman imperial dynasties | ||
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| Year of the Four Emperors | ||
| Chronology | ||
| Succession | ||
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Aulus Vitellius (/vɪˈtɛliəs/ vih-TELL-ee-əs; Latin: [ˈau̯lʊs wɪˈtɛlːijʊs]; 24 September 15 – 20 December 69) was Roman emperor for eight months, from 19 April to 20 December AD 69. Vitellius became emperor following the quick succession of the previous emperors Galba and Otho, in a year of civil war known as the Year of the Four Emperors. Vitellius added the honorific Germanicus to his name instead of Caesar upon his accession. Like his predecessor, Otho, Vitellius attempted to rally public support to his cause by honoring and imitating Nero who remained popular in the empire.
Originally from Campania, likely from Nuceria Alfaterna,[6] he was born to the Vitellia gens, a relatively obscure family in ancient Rome. He was a noble companion of Tiberius' retirement on Capri and there befriended Caligula. He was elected consul in 48, and served as proconsular governor of Africa in either 60 or 61. In 68, he was chosen to command the army of Germania Inferior by emperor Galba. He was later proclaimed emperor in January by the armies of Germania Inferior and Superior, beginning a revolt against Galba.[7] Galba was assassinated by Otho, and Vitellius then faced Otho in battle. He defeated Otho at the Battle of Bedriacum, and was recognized emperor by the Roman Senate.
His claim to the throne was soon challenged by legions stationed in the eastern provinces, who proclaimed their commander Vespasian emperor instead. War ensued, leading to a crushing defeat for Vitellius at the Second Battle of Bedriacum in northern Italy. Once he realised his support was wavering, Vitellius prepared to abdicate in favor of Vespasian. He was not allowed to do so by his supporters, resulting in a brutal battle for Rome between Vitellius' forces and the armies of Vespasian. He was executed in Rome by Vespasian's soldiers on 20 December 69.
- ^ Suetonius Vitellius 3: "was born on the eighth day before the Kalends of October [24 September], or according to some, on the seventh day before the Ides of September [7 September]". 24 September is generally the most accepted date, as it fits with Cassius Dio's statement that Vitellius lived "lived fifty-four years and eighty-nine days" (64.22)
- ^ Price, Jonathan J. (1992). Jerusalem Under Siege. BRILL. p. 211. ISBN 978-90-04-67248-2.
- ^ Stern, Sacha (2012). Calendars in Antiquity: Empires, States, and Societies. OUP. p. 284. ISBN 978-0-19-162622-7.
- ^ Tacitus (III, 67, 70, 82) writes that Vitellius learned of the defection of his troops on 18 December, and then died two days later. Dio (64.22) states that he died after having "reigned for a year lacking ten days", which places his death on the 22nd. The date of 20 December is confirmed by Josephus, who states that he was killed on the 3rd day of Apellaios (JW IV, 11.4).[2][3]
- ^ Vitellius did not inmediatly accepted the title of augustus. See Coinage for more details.
- ^ Suetonius, Vitellius, 4.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
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