Year of the Four Emperors

• 1. Nero's Downfall And Vindex Revolt

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  In the winter of 67, 68, Gaius Julius Vindex, legate of Gallia Lugdunensis, looked for support among other governors to start a revolt against Nero. Aware of his relatively humble origins, Vindex did not covet the Empire for himself. He forwarded letters to Servius Sulpicius Galba, governor of Hispania Tarraconensis, who was the only man that had not denounced him to Nero. In mid-March 68, Vindex proceeded with his plan and raised an army composed of Gallic warriors. This force cut short his attempts to win over officers of the seven legions posted on the Rhine. The soldiers would not accept fighting alongside Gauls.

  Vindex turned to Galba, the only man who had not denounced him to Nero. In early April 68, Galba accepted Vindex's proposition and was acclaimed emperor in Carthago Nova. He rapidly received support from officials of Baetica and Lusitania. These provinces provided him with money to raise the VII Galbiana, a second legion. Meanwhile, Lucius Verginius Rufus, governor of Germania Superior, marched on Vindex. He besieged Vesontio, capital of the Sequani tribe. Before Vesontio, Verginius and Vindex agreed to unite their forces against Nero. Verginius' legions ignored the agreement and charged the unprepared troops of Vindex. Up to 20,000 died while Vindex committed suicide.

  In Rome, Nymphidius Sabinus, deputy prefect of the Praetorian Guard, convinced his men to abandon Nero. He promised each soldier 30,000 sesterces, equivalent to 10 years of wages. On the 9th of June 68, the Senate declared Nero enemy of the state and proclaimed Galba emperor. This prompted Nero's suicide.

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• 2. Galba's Failed Consolidation Of Power

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  During the first half of October, Galba finally completed his journey to Rome. Tacitus described this as "a long and bloody march" due to the officials he had murdered on his way. The massacre occurred on the Milvian Bridge just before the city. When Galba arrived at Rome, the new legionaries pressed him to confirm their status. He ordered his troops to charge them, killing thousands. After they submitted to a decimation, morale severely lowered. Galba also refused to pay the Praetorians money promised by Nymphidius for overthrowing Nero.

  Galba continued the practice set by Nero of appointing ineffectual men to important posts. He sent old and disabled Hordeonius Flaccus to Germania Superior. Aulus Vitellius went to Germania Inferior, known mostly as a penniless glutton. In Rome, Galba considered with contempt anybody who had served under Nero. He only trusted three men from Spain: Titus Vinius, Cornelius Laco, and Icelus. These men had amassed money as Nero's protegés had, triggering popular resentment against the new emperor.

  At the beginning of the civil year of 69 on the 1st of January, legions of Germania Inferior refused to swear allegiance to Galba. On the following day, legions acclaimed their governor Vitellius as emperor. Hearing news of loss of Rhine legions, Galba panicked. He adopted young senator Lucius Calpurnius Piso Licinianus as successor. By doing so he offended many, above all Marcus Salvius Otho. Otho bribed the Praetorian Guard, already very unhappy with emperor.

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• 3. Otho's Brief Reign And Suicide

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  On the day of Galba's murder, Senate recognized Otho as emperor. They saluted new emperor with relief. Although ambitious and greedy, Otho did not have record of tyranny or cruelty. However, Otho's initial efforts to restore peace were soon checked by revelation that Vitellius declared himself Imperator in Germania. Vitellius dispatched half his army to march on Italy. Backing Vitellius were finest legions of Empire, composed of veterans of Germanic Wars such as I Germanica and XXI Rapax.

  Otho was not keen to begin another civil war. He sent emissaries to propose peace and convey offer to marry Vitellius's daughter. It was too late to reason; Vitellius's generals led half army toward Italy. After series of minor victories, Otho suffered defeat in First Battle of Bedriacum. Rather than flee and attempt counter-attack, Otho decided to put end to anarchy. He committed suicide. He had been emperor for little more than three months.

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• 4. Vitellius's Dysfunctional Rule

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  With recognition from Senate, Vitellius set out for Rome but faced problems from start of reign. City remained very sceptical when Vitellius chose anniversary of Battle of Allia in 390 BC to accede office of Pontifex Maximus. This day held bad auspices according to Roman superstition. Events seemed to prove omens right. With throne tightly secured, Vitellius engaged in series of banquets. Suetonius refers to three a day: morning, afternoon, and night. These triumphal parades drove imperial treasury close to bankruptcy.

  Debts quickly accrued and moneylenders started to demand repayment. Vitellius showed violent nature by ordering torture and execution of those who dared make such demands. With financial affairs in state of calamity, Vitellius took to killing citizens who named him as their heir. He often killed co-heirs together with any co-heirs. Moreover, he sought to rid himself of every possible rival. He invited them to palace with promises of power only to order hasty assassination.

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• 5. Vespasian's Eastern Legions Victory

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  Meanwhile, legions stationed in African province Egypt and Middle Eastern provinces Iudaea and Syria acclaimed Vespasian as emperor. Vespasian had received special command in Judaea from Nero in AD 67. Task was putting down First Jewish, Roman War. He gained support of governor of Syria, Gaius Licinius Mucianus. Mucianus marched on Rome with strong force drawn from Judaean and Syrian legions. Vespasian himself travelled to Alexandria where he was acclaimed emperor on the 1st of July 69. This gave control of vital grain supplies from Egypt.

  Before eastern legions could reach Rome, Danubian legions of Raetia and Moesia also acclaimed Vespasian in August. Led by Marcus Antonius Primus, they invaded Italy. In October, forces led by Primus won crushing victory over Vitellius army at Second Battle of Bedriacum. Surrounded by enemies, Vitellius made last attempt to win city to his side. He distributed bribes and promises of power where needed. He tried to levy several allied tribes such as Batavians by force but they refused. Danube army now very near Rome.

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• 6. The Batavi Revolt Aftermath

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  Realizing immediate threat, Vitellius made last attempt to gain time by sending emissaries accompanied by Vestal Virgins to negotiate truce. Following day, messengers arrived with news that enemy was at gates of city. Vitellius went into hiding and prepared to flee. He decided on one last visit to palace where Vespasian's men caught and killed him. In seizing capital, they burned down temple of Jupiter. Senate acknowledged Vespasian as emperor following day, the 21st of December 69.

  Death of Vitellius did not end civil war as Rhine legions still rejected rule of Vespasian. Some Batavi provincials led by Civilis had fought them since Vitellius acclamation. In 70, new regime finally won legions surrender after negotiations. Main reason was lack of alternative to Vespasian. Later, new regime distorted events especially through writings of historian Tacitus. They removed embarrassment of having relied on Batavi to fight Roman legions. Batavi were therefore said to have revolted against Rome and events called Revolt of Batavi.

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