Vitellius << vuh TEHL ee uhs >> (A.D. 15-69) was emperor of Rome from June to December of A.D. 69. He ruled during a year of instability that is sometimes called the Year of the Four Emperors. At that time, a series of three emperors—Galba, Otho, and Vitellius—briefly ruled Rome before Vespasian took control at the end of the year.
Aulus Vitellius was born in Italy in September, A.D. 15. His father was an influential adviser to a number of emperors, including Claudius. Vitellius became a senator. However, he lacked his father’s distinction and gained a reputation for laziness. In 68, the emperor Galba appointed Vitellius governor of the Roman province of Lower Germany, where a large force of four Roman legions was stationed. Galba wanted to ensure that the governor of Lower Germany would not become his rival. He probably thought Vitellius lacked the ambition to do so.
The Roman legions in Lower Germany were discontented and eager to invade Italy. Two ambitious legion commanders persuaded Vitellius to try to become emperor. The German legions began marching south. They continued with their plan after Otho replaced Galba as emperor. The German legions reached Italy before Otho could muster enough forces to block them. They defeated Otho’s forces in battle in the Po Valley near Cremona, Italy, in mid-April. However, it was not until June that Vitellius reached Rome and secured recognition as emperor from the Senate.
Descriptions of Vitellius as a gluttonous, idle, and incapable ruler may be exaggerated. But it is clear that he was unable to handle the major challenges that faced him. Vitellius failed to gain popularity and was unable to restore political stability to the empire. Worst of all, the loyalties of Roman soldiers across the empire remained divided.
In July 69, Roman legions in the East declared their support for Vespasian, a general whom the emperor Nero had appointed to suppress a rebellion in Judea. Many legions on the empire’s frontier along the Danube River also decided to support Vespasian. When these legions took the lead in invading Italy from the north, Vitellius was unable to block them. In October, Vitellius’s army lost a major battle near Cremona. It was then only a matter of time before the invaders would reach Rome. Vitellius was too indecisive to give up the position of emperor to Vespasian. Extremely destructive fighting between Vespasian’s and Vitellius’s forces continued until late December. A mob lynched Vitellius on Dec. 20, 69.
See also Galba ; Otho ; Rome, Ancient (Imperial Rome) ; Vespasian .
