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His reign was marked by a series of extravagant excesses. Valens and Caecina ran the government and kept Vitellius in a state of perpetual indulgence. After ten months the government of Rome was in turmoil, and as soon as Vitellius heard that Vespasian was rising against him in the East he desired to abdicate without contest. The brother of Vespasian, Flavius Sabinus, was in Rome and negotiated generous terms of surrender, but when Vitellius tried to resign, his partisans physically prevented him from doing so, and sought to capture Sabinus, who took refuge in the capital. In the course of the ensuing fight, the capital, which was no longer configured as a fortress was accidentally destroyed by fire, and Sabinus was killed. Vitellius himself was captured and killed when Vespasian's troops entered Rome.
Consul. | |
Proconsul in Africa. | |
Made commander of the lower Rhine by Galba. Popular with troops due to indulgence. | |
Proclaimed emperor by legions in Gaul, on the death of Galba. Defeated rival Otho at Bedriacum. | |
After a short and gluttonous reign, Vitellius is deposed by Vespasian. |
Imperial Glutton in | Pictures from Roman Life and Story by Alfred J. Church |
Burning of the Capitol in | Pictures from Roman Life and Story by Alfred J. Church |
Siege of Jerusalem in | The Story of the Romans by H. A. Guerber |
Reign of a Glutton in | Historical Tales: Roman by Charles Morris |
Image Links | ||
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![]() Vitellius in Pictures from Roman Life and Story |
![]() Vitellius Torn by the Mob in Greatest Nations - Rome |
Galba | Declared emperor after Nero was deposed. Served less than a year. |
Otho | Emperor for three months in 69 A.D. Committed suicide rather than continue civil war. |
Vespasian | First emperor of humble origins. Founder of Flavian dynasty. |
Flavius Sabinus | Brother of Sabinus who tried to negotiate surrender of Vitellius. |
Valens and Caecina | Commanders of legion of the lower Rhine. Supporters and advisors of Vitellius. |