Roman emperor Vitellius
Aulus Vitellius Germanicus was the third emperor in the line of Roman leaders who came into power during what was later termed the Year of the four emperors. He was born on September 24th, 15 AD to Lucius Vitellius and Sextilia. He only had one sibling, a brother who was named Lucius Vitellius the younger.
Aulus Vitellius Germanicus first came into prominence as a consul in 48 AD, and by 60 AD (or 61 AD, reports on the exact date vary) he had managed to be appointed to the position of proconsul of Africa. According to most accounts, he performed both these tasks with equal capability and resourcefulness.
The year 68 AD would bring to him an appointment as commander of the armies at Germania Inferior, a position bestowed upon him by Galba and which was the cause of surprise to many political figures. In this his latest role, he quickly won the loyalty of those under his command with a combination of easy familiarity and general benevolent disposition.
It must be said though that these two traits, although endearing him to the common soldiers, also resulted in a general lack of order and discipline in the ranks.
Aulus Vitellius Germanicus for his part later threw aside his loyalty to Galba and with the help of Caecina and Valens took control of the empire in the early part of 69 AD. The coronation was held in Colonia Agrippinensis (or what is now known as Cologne). These two men were commanders of legions on the Rhine and were instrumental in Vitellius' ascension to the throne by their abandonment of their own allegiance to the former emperor Galba.
The political state of Rome being as it was at that time, made it difficult if not nearly impossible to assume command of the entire empire and in truth, Vitellius was only in command of the armies of Germania Inferior and Superior, although he was later joined by the armies of Gaul, Brittania and Raetia. This combined force then marched upon Rome where unbeknownst to them it was Otho that they now had to contend with instead of the expected Galba.
Aulus Vitellius Germanicus later arrived in Rome at the helm of an unruly mob and although he was accepted as emperor by the Roman senate with the corresponding honours that were due his position, he was never acknowledged as the legitimate ruler by the rest of the Roman Empire.
Rome under the rule of Vitellius quickly fell into disarray, with riots and public disturbances, many of them caused by Vitellius' ill-mannered soldiers, becoming the order of the day. Bloody gladiatorial battles became a fixture in the Roman scene and Vitellius own court was rife with all manner of debauchery and excess. Vitellius also disbanded the Praetorian Guard in favour of his own hand picked men, a decision which would come back to haunt him later.
By July of 69 AD, the eastern provinces had pronounced their own emperor, Titus Flavius Vespasianus and when Vitellius' allies heard of this new claimant to the throne, they abandoned him. When Vespasian's army entered the city, Vitellius was pulled out of his hiding place and was killed by the mob. He died on December 22nd, 69 AD.
Original Authors: Doods Pangburn
Edit Update Authors: M.A.Harris
Updated On: 14/05/2008
