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Vitellius

Reece Period attributed: Period 3

Member of the Civil-Wars dynasty.

Coins for this issuer were issued from 69 until .

Aulus Vitellius was born in AD 14 and spent much of his youth on Capri, as one of Tiberius’ young male prostitutes. He became a fixture in the courts of Gaius, Claudius, and Nero, known for his love of gaming and other vices. As a favourite of three emperors, Vitellius achieved many important offices and priesthoods, though he did not always perform them honourably.

Vitellius won favour with the army when appointed to the governorship of Lower Germany by Galba. The army was tired of Galba’s ambition and cruelty, and welcomed the younger and more easygoing Vitellius. When news of Galba’s murder reached Germany, he sent out half the army against Otho, who soon committed suicide. Vitellius proclaimed himself Consul for life, and soon gave way to the vices of extravagance and cruelty. As he killed and tortured many people on the slightest provocation, his popularity fell and Vespasian’s troops from the East marched on Rome. Vitellius was found hiding in the palace and dragged through the streets of Rome by Vespasian’s troops; his body was eventually thrown in the Tiber.

Suetonius reports that Vitellius was quite tall with a huge paunch. He was usually flushed with alcohol.

View all coins recorded by the scheme attributed to Vitellius.

Wikipedia derived information

Vitellius, was Roman Emperor for eight months, from 16 April to 22 December 69.

Vitellius was acclaimed 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 was the first to add the honorific cognomen Germanicus to his name instead of Caesar upon his accession; the latter name had fallen into disrepute in many quarters because of the actions of Nero. 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 favour of Vespasian, but was executed in Rome by Vespasian's soldiers on December 22 of 69..

Wikipedia page: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vitellius
This data is sourced from dbpedia, and as such should be treated with caution

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