2021-09-04 Sat

Emperor Vitellius was the Successor of Emperor Otho. Vitellius ruled Rome for the term of eight months. The year of emperor Vitellius accession was the year of civil war for Rome due to conflicts between the power-hungry noblemen to become the sole administrator of Imperial Rome.

Emperor Vitellius was title Aulus Vitellus Germanicus Augustus. He was the first to add honorific cognomen ‘Germanicus’ to his title instead of traditional ‘Caesar’ upon his accession. His accession to the throne was challenged by brigades (legions) stationed in the eastern provinces, they proclaimed their leader Vespasian as their emperor. This dispute between Vitellius and Vespasian transformed into a war cry and it resulted in the defeat of Emperor Vitellius at the Second Battle of Bedriacum in northern Italy.

Vitellius also minted coins like his predecessor’s. The gold Aureus of Vitellus was circulated in 69CE, bust of the Emperor is depicted on the obverse side. The reverse of this coin illustrates Concordia seated facing left holding a patera in his right hand and cornucopia in the left hand. The coinage of Emperor Vitellius consists of denominations like Denarius, Sestarius, As, etc.

After the defeat at Bedriacum, Vitellius prepared to abdicate in favour of Vespasian. Later on, he was executed by the Vespasian soldiers in 69 CE. Thus, Vitellius was the third king in the ‘year of the four kings of Rome.

Image Courtesy: AmericanNumismatic.Org