Year of the Four Emperors — Vitellius and the Crisis of 69 CE
Nero's death left no designated successor. The governor of Spain, Servius Sulpicius Galba, marched to Rome and was recognised by the senate. But Galba proved a disastrous ruler — austere, inflexible, and unable to understand that the secret of empire was that it could be made somewhere other than Rome. He alienated the Praetorian Guard by refusing them a promised donative. On 15 January 69 CE the Praetorians proclaimed Marcus Salvius Otho emperor and murdered Galba in the Forum. Simultaneously the Rhine legions had acclaimed their commander Aulus Vitellius emperor. Civil war began. Vitellius's generals defeated Otho's forces at the First Battle of Bedriacum in April 69 CE. Otho, rather than continue the war, committed suicide — a death universally admired as courageous. Vitellius entered Rome with a vast, undisciplined Rhine army. But the Eastern legions — the large, experienced armies of Syria, Judaea, and the Danube — acclaimed Vespasian. Vitellius's forces were crushed at the Second Battle of Bedriacum (October). In December Vitellius was dragged through Rome and thrown into the Tiber. Vespasian's dynasty — the Flavians — ruled for twenty-seven years.
- Year: 69 CE
- Category: Political
