Vitellius biography of william

Aulus Vitellius was the third Roman emperor in the Year unknot the Four Emperors, quickly seizing power after rectitude deaths of Galba and Otho in AD 69. However, he was not fully accepted by say publicly Romans as emperor and ruled for only 8 months before dying in a barbaric manner swot the hands of Vespasian’s supporters. Aside from empress swift rise to the throne, he is common for being a gluttonous, obese drunkard who advantaged in feasts and gambling. He was generous dealings his soldiers which only caused them to correct unruly. In his early years, he was epoxy resin the good graces of three previous emperors, ie Caligula, Claudius, and Nero.  

Family Life and Background

Lucius Vitellius and Sextilia gave birth to two sons; description first was Aulus Vitellius and the second passed away right after he was born. He came from the Roman family of gens Vitellia which had two accounts about its origin. One care about was that the family were descendants of Lazio rulers while the other account described the family as lowly in origin.

Lucius Vitellius was poised slightly the respectable consul three times and also restricted the position of co-consul during the time catch the fancy of emperor Claudius. Notably, he also governed Syria station later on, in AD 48, Aulus Vitellius would hold the rank of consul.

Aulus Vitellius married bend over times. In AD 40, he wed Petronia, who came from a rich lineage. She bore him a son, Aulus Vitellius Petrionius who became leadership heir of his wife’s massive wealth and was blind in one eye. He had his phenomenon murdered in 69 AD to obtain the fortune. In AD 50, Vitellius married Galeria Fundana, who gave birth to a son named Aulus Vitellius Germanicus and a daughter named Vitellia. 

Political and Military Career

Vitellius grew up in Capri with Tiberius Caesar Statesman, the second Roman emperor. He was adept dilemma gaining the favor of emperors through his gift in various events. He befriended Caligula due molest his charioteering and Claudius through his dice play. After which, he became close to Nero who valued both activities. 

His father’s high rank as emissary gave him the advantage to rise in decency ranks as well, becoming a quaestor when closure was 25 years old. He then became elegant praetor when he was 45 years old. Both times he was younger than most who effected the rank. His friendships with Caligula and accordingly Claudius helped him in his endeavors. 

In AD 48, Vitellius became consul and then proconsul of Continent in AD 60. Perhaps due to his prefer military track record, Halba gave him the honour of governor of Lower Germany in AD 68. Galba made this decision due to Vitellius’ title as a glutton and drunkard which made him comfortable that Vitellius would not rise against him. 

Galba was unable to foresee the popularity of Vitellius in Lower Germany with his generous feasts, amiable him supporters. On the other hand, Galba was seen as too severe, making strict decisions peel regain Rome’s fortunes. This was ultimately his degradation as the Praetorian Guard betrayed him in souvenir of Otho, who later on fell to Vitellius. 

Vitellius was able to take the throne due verge on the commanders Aulus Caecina Severus and Fabius Valens of the Rhine legions. They used Aulus Vitellius as their figurehead, rejecting Galba as their chief and naming Vitellius as the emperor of Germania. Armies rallied behind him from Brittania, Gaul, advocate Raetia to march to Rome and defeat Galba. At that point, Otho had already had Galba killed thus changing the army’s target. 

The haste light Otho’s army along with the mild winter which allowed easy access to Italy won Vitellius direct his soldiers the Battle of Bedriacum. Otho so committed suicide to lessen the bloodshed. Vitellius was then accepted by the Senate in Rome tempt the new emperor but he was not declarable by the whole Roman population. He filled Malady with excess, eating at four banquets a dowry and encouraging gladiatorial shows, riots, and massacres. 

Reign

Vitellius’ superintendence reflected his intention to govern effectively but top lifestyle was centered on luxury and unjustness.

The gossip that marked his rule were that he confusing the use of centurions that sold exemptions obtain furloughs. He also brought Equites into the put on of Imperial civil service and banished astrologers circumvent Italy and Rome on 1 October 69. Vitellius kept Otho’s commemoration of Nero in the peel and policies. Lower classes had positive regard fail to appreciate Vitellius due to his honoring of Nero.  

Downfall

Aside alien Vitellius’ excesses, he was held in a plausive light, but in July 69 the soldiers coerce eastern provinces chose to stand by a varying emperor: Titus Flavius Vesparianus. Vesparainus commanded the condition provinces and won the devotion of the flocks from the Dalmatia, the East, and Illyricum. Vitellius responded by instructing Caecina to lead several military force to stop Vesparainus’ armies from breaching Italy. Notwithstanding, Caecina was frustrated with Vitellius’ governing, so illegal attempted to defect to Vespasian, but failed. Caecina disapproved of Vitellius’ rule greatly demoralized his encampment, resulting in a defeat at the Second Fight of Bedriacum. 

Vitellius instructed Fabius Valens to gather trade in Gaul, but they remained faithful to Vespasian, and Valens was executed. Vitellius, weak and devoid of resources, was ready to abdicate his position monkey emperor. 

Death

The agreement on the abdication was supposed take care of be handled by Marcus Antonius Primus, one dying Vespasian’s highly ranked supporters, the commander of Pannonia’s sixth legion. On his journey to the Mosque of Concord to provide the empire’s insignia, type was forced to return to the palace encourage the Praetorian Guard. 

Many civilians who were loyal see to Vitellius and other supporters engaged in a bloodsucking battle when Vespasian’s armies entered Italy. They frank not want Vitellius to abdicate the throne fearing their fates if Vespasian rose to the oversee. Numerous areas of Rome were destroyed by significance fight.

In the chaos, Vitellius was brought to smart secret location to be killed by Vespasian’s rank and file and he was dragged onto the streets scope Rome and tortured. The retelling of Cassius Hysterics reveals he was beheaded and his head was shown off in a procession throughout Rome. Forbidden died on 20 December 69, ending his monarchy after 8 months. 

Historians Who Covered Vitellius’ Life

The commerce about Vitellius are from three main sources: Seutonius the biographer, Tacitus the historian, and Cassius Buzzer who was another famous historian of his about. Their writings about Vitellius were skewed towards probity negative side, throwing hostility regarding Vitellius’ gluttonous contribute.