Vitellius

• 1. Origins And Early Life

  ›

  Aulus Vitellius entered the world on the 24th of September in the year 15, within Nuceria Alfaterna, a town nestled in Campania. His father Lucius Vitellius belonged to the equestrian class before rising to senatorial rank later in life. This background made Aulus the first emperor not born into a senatorial family. Suetonius recorded two conflicting stories about his family origins, one claiming descent from ancient Latium rulers and another describing them as lowly stock. Both accounts circulated long before he ever held power. His horoscope reportedly horrified his parents so deeply that his father tried to prevent him from becoming consul. In his youth, he became a noble companion during Tiberius' retirement on Capri. There he befriended Caligula through their shared love of chariots and dice games.

  21

• 2. Military Rise To Power

  ›

  Vitellius served as consul in 48 and governed Africa as proconsular governor around 60 or 61. He acquitted himself with credit in that role until Galba selected him to command Germania Inferior at the end of 68. The general astonishment followed this choice since it broke tradition. Within his army, Vitellius gained popularity through outrageous prodigality and excessive good nature. These traits soon proved fatal to military order and discipline. Caecina and Fabius Valens, commanders of Rhine legions, orchestrated his elevation to throne. They refused to renew allegiance to Emperor Galba on the 1st of January 69. Vitellius was proclaimed emperor at Cologne on the following day. The 4th and 18th legions threw down images of Galba during the night of the 1st of January. By the 3rd of January, the army of Upper Germany declared for Vitellius. Armies from Gaul, Britannia, and Raetia sided with them shortly after. When they marched toward Rome, Otho stood between them and victory.

  59

• 3. Administration And Policies

  ›

  Tacitus described two lasting government contributions made during Vitellius' brief reign. He ended the practice where centurions sold furloughs and duty exemptions to their men. This change later became standard among all good emperors. He also expanded Imperial administration offices beyond freedmen, allowing Equites class members to take civil service positions. On the 1st of October 69, he banned astrologers from Rome and Italy entirely. Some astrologers responded by anonymously publishing a decree stating Vitellius would be gone on an appointed date. In response, Vitellius executed any astrologer he encountered. Suetonius noted that Valens and Caecina encouraged him in vicious excesses which overshadowed his better qualities. Despite this, Tacitus recorded indications that Vitellius desired to govern wisely. He continued Otho's policy honoring Nero's memory by sacrificing to his spirit. Public performances included Nero's songs, imitating the dead emperor who remained popular among lower classes.

  78

• 4. The Gluttony Mythos

  ›

  Suetonius constructed the reputation of Vitellius as an obese glutton using emetics to eat four times daily. He often invited himself to different noble houses for each banquet. One famous feast offered by his brother Lucius served two thousand choice fishes and seven thousand birds. Yet even that supper was outdone when he hosted a feast featuring The Shield of Minerva dish. This enormous platter contained pike livers, pheasant brains, peacock brains, flamingo tongues, and lamprey entrails. These ingredients arrived via warships from Parthia and Spanish Straits. Edward Gibbon later wrote that Vitellius consumed at least six million units of money in eating alone over seven months. Marcus Gavius Apicius named a less exotic dish after the emperor, mixing peas or broad beans with sweet and sour ingredients. Tacitus called him a hog while substituting coarse words with fine images. Suetonius described his physical state as abnormally tall with a flushed face from hard drinking and a huge belly.

  678

• 5. Civil War And Defeat

  ›

  In July 69, armies of eastern provinces proclaimed Titus Flavius Vespasianus their commander as rival emperor. Vitellius sent legions under Caecina to prevent Eastern forces entering Italy. Caecina attempted to defect to Vespasian but failed due to dissatisfaction with poor administration. Morale among Vitellian legions crumbled as they faced decisive defeat at Second Battle of Bedriacum. Fabius Valens was sent to rally supporting armies in Gaul but captured and executed by Vespasian loyalists soon after. Many adherents deserted Vitellius who then prepared to abdicate title of emperor. Terms of abdication had been agreed upon with Marcus Antonius Primus, commander of sixth legion serving in Pannonia. As he approached Temple of Concord to deposit imperial insignia, Praetorian Guard refused entry. They forced him back to palace where supporters organized heavy resistance against incoming troops. Stones, javelins, and tiles rained down on Vespasian's soldiers during urban fighting. Cassius Dio claimed fifty thousand people died in the battle for Rome. Large parts including Temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus were destroyed.

  59

• 6. Execution And Legacy

  ›

  Vitellius was dragged from a door-keeper's lodge hiding place to fatal Gemonian stairs. There struck down by Vespasian's supporters, his last words were Yet I was once your emperor. Suetonius stated his body thrown into Tiber while Cassius Dio claimed beheading followed by head paraded around Rome. His wife attended burial while brother and son also killed. A prediction made more than fifty years before death foretold falling into power of man from Gaul. Marcus Antonius Primus hailed from Toulouse in Gaul bearing nickname Becco meaning rooster's beak. Gallus means both cock and Gaul linking prophecy to reality. Coins minted before the 19th of April 69 lacked Augustus title while Pontifex Maximus appeared after election on the 18th of July. Numismatist C.H.V. Sutherland noted Germanicus used almost like cognomen across all mints. Spanish mint of Tarraco produced far more coins than Lugdunum which may not have struck bronze. Both closed beginning summer 69 when Rome mint took over. Aurei and denarii featured goddess Victory building trophy likely alluding hoped victory against Vespasian armies.

  348