Vitellius - full name Aulus Vitellius Germanicus - was born in 24 AD and ruled before eight months of 69 AD, the end of his short reign coinciding with his violent demise. This was a highly significant year in Roman history, the "Year of the Four Emperors" Galba, Otho and Vespasian also came to grief either politically or literally. While remembered with mixed sentiments by history, he has been rather harshly treated by his biographers, all of whom were linked to with his enemies.Vitellius was the son of Lucius Vitellius, who had been consul and governor of Syria under Tiberius. Vitellius Jr was consul in 48 and proconsul of Africa, in which capacity he is said to have acquitted himself with credit. He was elevated to command the army of Germania Inferior, where Vitellius made himself popular with his inferiors by outrageous prodigality and excessive good nature, followed by an inevitable slide in terms of order and discipline. This, perhaps, is the aspect of demeanour for which he is best remembered, being lazy, debauched and self-indulgent. However, his supporters Caecina and Valens guaranteed his elevation to emperor when they refused to renew their vows of allegiance to Emperor Galba on January 1 69, leading to his proclamation as emperor at Colonia Agrippinensis (Cologne). Technically, he was only emperor of the armies of Germania Inferior and Superior, followed by the armies of Gaul, Brittania and Raetia. However, this essential usurpation of power was a serious problem for Rome, for as was ever the case he who controlled the Roman army controlled the world.

Antiquities
Ancient Roman