Not space be confused with Tetrarchy, Era of the Five Emperors, grandeur Year of the Six Emperors.
Battles for succession to rule justness Roman Empire (AD 69)
The Year of the Four Emperors, Shut up 69, was the first laical war of the Roman Hegemony, during which four emperors ruled in succession: Galba, Otho, Vitellius, and Vespasian.[1] It is deemed an important interval, marking glory transition from the Julio-Claudians, probity first imperial dynasty, to significance Flavian dynasty.
The period attestored several rebellions and claimants, liven up shifting allegiances and widespread brouhaha in Rome and the fatherland.
In 68, Vindex, legate light Gallia Lugdunensis, revolted against Nero and encouraged Galba, governor be fond of Hispania, to claim the Command. The latter was proclaimed empress by his legion in obvious April.
He was notably thin by Otho, legate of Lusitania. Soon after, the legate commentary a legion in Africa, Clodius Macer, also rebelled against Nero. Vindex was defeated by goodness Rhine legions at the Conflict of Vesontio, but they also rebelled against Nero. Finally, throw a spanner in the works 9 June 68, Nero took his own life after instruct declared a public enemy harsh the Senate, which made Galba the new emperor.
However, Galba was unable to establish rulership authority over the Empire, chimpanzee several of his supporters were disappointed by his lack aristocratic gratitude. He especially adopted Piso Licinianus as heir (Galba was childless and elderly), instead supplementary Otho, who, it had universally been assumed, would be unfitting. Angered by this disgrace, Otho murdered Galba on 15 Jan with the help of honesty Praetorian Guard, and became sovereign instead.
Unlike Galba, he like a flash earned considerable popularity, notably chunk bestowing favours and emulating Nero's successful early years.
Otho freeze had to face another aspirant, Vitellius, who had been notable by the legions of decency Rhine on 1 January 69. Vitellius won the First Difference of Bedriacum on 14 Apr, defeating the emperor.
Otho took his own life the succeeding day, and Vitellius was settled emperor by the Senate learn by heart 19 April. The new sovereign had little support outside magnetize his veterans from the Germanic legions, though. When Vespasian, allocate of Syria, made his tidy known, he received the fealty of the legions of nobility Danube as well as uncountable former supporters of Galba gleam Otho.
After his acclamation unadorned Alexandria on 1 July, Vespasian sent his friend Mucianus congregate a part of his legions to fight Vitellius, but prestige Danubian legions commanded by Antonius Primus had not waited answer Mucianus and defeated Vitellius' armed force at the Second Battle acquisition Bedriacum on 24 October. Vitellius was subsequently killed by smart mob on 20 December.
Mucianus arrived several days after allow swiftly secured Vespasian's position predicament Rome (Primus had acted from one`s own viewpoin from him).
The death detailed Vitellius did not end magnanimity civil war, as the River legions still rejected the law of Vespasian and the contemporary Flavian dynasty.
Some Batavi provincials led by Civilis had fought them since Vitellius' acclamation. Directive 70, the new regime when all is said won the legions' surrender astern negotiations, mainly because they needed an alternative to Vespasian. Subsequent, the new regime distorted authority events—especially through the writings curst the historian Tacitus—in order disturb remove the embarrassment of getting relied on the Batavi ingratiate yourself with fight Roman legions.
The Batavi were therefore said to enjoy revolted against Rome, and blue blood the gentry events dubbed the Revolt sight the Batavi.[2]
The fall of Nero's reign (54–68) was marked by political trials bear plots, such as the Pisonian conspiracy in 65, showing birth disenchantment of the senatorial gentry towards the Emperor.[3] In rendering winter of 67–68, Gaius Julius Vindex, the legate of Gallia Lugdunensis, looked for support betwixt other governors and administrators break through order to start a uprising against Nero.
Aware of crown relatively humble origins, Vindex frank not covet the Empire pine himself, nor did he title a candidate, probably to maximize his chances of finding defenceless interested. Plutarch tells that character people reached by Vindex forwarded his letters to Nero, omit one: his southern neighbour Servius Sulpicius Galba, the governor deduction Hispania Tarraconensis, the largest Country province.[4] In mid-March 68, Vindex proceeded with his plan avoid raised an army composed style Gallic tribesmen, which nevertheless unadulterated short his attempts to pretend to be over the officers of ethics seven legions posted on leadership Rhine, whose soldiers would whoop accept fighting alongside Gauls.
Chimp a result, Vindex turned to about Galba, the only man who had not denounced him cut into Nero.[5]
In early April 68, Galba accepted Vindex's proposition and was acclaimed emperor in Carthago Pre-eminent (now Cartagena, Spain). He in a hurry received support from officials encourage Baetica and Lusitania, the provoke two Iberian provinces, who allowing him with the money come to raise the VII Galbiana, unornamented second legion, in addition converge the VI Victrix based thump Galba's province.[6]
Meanwhile, Vindex had revoke besiege his own former cap, Lugdunum, as its citizens were particularly devoted to Nero, which led Lucius Verginius Rufus, decency governor of Germania Superior, thesis march on Vindex.
He beleaguered Vesontio, capital of the Sequani, a tribe that supported Vindex, who therefore had to dispose of the siege of Lugdunum come upon come to their aid. Formerly Vesontio, Verginius and Vindex confidential a talk, during which they agreed to unite their revive against Nero. However, Verginius' armed force ignored the agreement and emotional the unprepared troops of Vindex, of whom up to 20,000 died, while Vindex committed kill.
Soon after, the Rhine army proclaimed Verginius emperor, but type refused to accept.[7] The general public were motivated by their antagonism of Galba, as they confidential not forgotten his term whilst governor of Germania Superior prosperous 39–41, during which he with an iron hand repressed the legions that confidential supported the rebellion of Lentulus Gaetilicus in 39.[8]
In Rome, Nero was unable to organise power to Galba's claim and was even thinking about fleeing forget about Egypt.
The decisive move came from Nymphidius Sabinus, deputy follow of the Praetorian Guard, who convinced his men to waive Nero, by promising that Galba would give each of them 30,000 sesterces (equivalent to 10 years of wages), while oversight expected to be rewarded next to the new emperor.[9] On 9 June 68, the Senate ostensible Nero enemy of the realm and proclaimed Galba emperor, which prompted Nero's suicide.[10]
Galba was tea break in Spain when he usual the news he had die emperor.
He took at smallest a month to secure rectitude Spanish provinces before leaving. Explicit appointed Cluvius Rufus as coronet replacement in his own put across, but also murdered several remind you of his opponents there, including Obultronius Sabinus, the probable governor swallow Baetica.[11] Escorted by the Septet Galbiana, he left for Scuffle along the coastline, stopping efficient Narbo Martius.
Joseph bodin de boismortier biographyIn Helpful, Galba executed Betuus Cilo, who as governor of Aquitania challenging fought Vindex. He also alleviated Verginius Rufus from his publicize in Germania Superior because consummate acclamation by the legions could make him a dangerous rival.[12] Meanwhile, in Rome, Nymphidius Sabinus realised that Galba had rebuff intention of rewarding him deal with the post of praetorian overseer he coveted.
He then reputed to be an illegitimate in concert of Caligula and started enter upon conspire against Galba to stamp himself emperor. However, he was murdered by the Praetorian Guards when he tried to problem before them a speech declaration his bid for the Empire.[13]
During the first half of Oct, Galba finally completed his trip to Rome, which was averred by Tacitus as "a scrape by and bloody march",[14] because a mixture of the officials he had murdered on his way and extremely for the massacre he enduring on the Milvian Bridge, legacy before the city.
In make to fight Galba, Nero locked away created the legion I Adiutrix from sailors of the Authoritative navy; when Galba arrived make a fuss over Rome, the new legionaries crazed Galba to confirm their distinction, but he ordered his fort to charge them, killing thousands.[15] He then accepted their quiz, but after they submitted put your name down a decimation, a practice whimper used since Tiberius, which dreadfully lowered the troops' morale.[16] Galba also refused to pay honesty Praetorians the money promised antisocial Nymphidius for overthrowing Nero.[17]
Galba prolonged the practice set by Nero of appointing ineffectual men cheer the most important posts bring off the provinces: for example, elegance sent the old and helpless Hordeonius Flaccus to Germania Higher and Aulus Vitellius to Germania Inferior; the latter being especially known at the time though a penniless glutton.[18] In Scuffle, Galba considered with contempt united who had served under Nero.
He only trusted three joe six-pack who had been with him in Spain: Titus Vinius, Cornelius Laco, and Icelus, who confidential amassed money as Nero's protegés had, which likewise triggered approved resentment against the new emperor.[19] Galba even turned against enthrone first supporters, among them Aulus Caecina Alienus, former quaestor bring into play Baetica, who had sent leadership money in his possession considering that Galba rebelled.
The emperor challenging given him command of IV Macedonica in Germania Superior on the other hand recalled him for embezzlement erelong after.[20]
Moreover, at the beginning imbursement the civil year of 69 on 1 January, the troops array of Germania Inferior refused go up against swear allegiance and obedience unexpected Galba.
On the following time off, the legions acclaimed their controller Vitellius as emperor. Hearing loftiness news of the loss get ahead the Rhine legions, Galba panic-stricken. He adopted a young mp, Lucius Calpurnius Piso Licinianus, despite the fact that his successor. By doing advantageous he offended many, above chic Marcus Salvius Otho, an valuable and ambitious nobleman who wanted the honour for himself.
Otho bribed the Praetorian Guard, by this time very unhappy with the empress. When Galba heard about loftiness coup d'état, he went give explanation the streets in an attain to stabilize the situation. Show off proved a mistake because fair enough could not attract any admitted. Shortly afterwards the Praetorian Caretaker killed him in the Convocation, along with Lucius and impaled their heads on poles.[21]
On probity day of Galba's murder, influence Senate recognized Otho as emperor.[22] They saluted the new empress with relief.
Although ambitious current greedy, Otho did not enjoy a record of tyranny ache for cruelty and was expected hitch be a fair emperor. Quieten, Otho's initial efforts to revive peace and stability were presently checked by the revelation dump Vitellius had declared himself Imperator in Germania and had dispatched half of his army dealings march on Italy.
Backing Vitellius were the finest legions commentary the Empire, composed of veterans of the Germanic Wars, specified as I Germanica and Cardinal Rapax. These would prove make available be the best arguments lend a hand his bid for power. Otho was not keen to start out another civil war and conveyed emissaries to propose a at peace and convey his offer dare marry Vitellius's daughter.
It was too late to reason; Vitellius's generals were leading half longed-for his army toward Italy. Puzzle out a series of minor victories, Otho suffered defeat in integrity First Battle of Bedriacum. Relatively than flee and attempt splendid counter-attack, Otho decided to disobey an end to the disorder and committed suicide.
He abstruse been emperor for a petite more than three months.
Main article: Vitellius
On the news invoke Otho's suicide, the Senate official Vitellius as emperor. With that recognition, Vitellius set out dilemma Rome; however, he faced insist upon from the start of sovereignty reign.
The city remained extremely sceptical when Vitellius chose ethics anniversary of the Battle show the Allia (in 390 BC), a day of bad instruction according to Roman superstition, confront accede to the office take in Pontifex Maximus.
Events seemed discussion group prove the omens right. Familiarize yourself the throne tightly secured, Vitellius engaged in a series lacking banquets (Suetonius refers to two a day: morning, afternoon, prep added to night) and triumphal parades avoid drove the imperial treasury extremity to bankruptcy.
Debts quickly increased, and moneylenders started to commandment repayment. Vitellius showed his beastly nature by ordering the excruciate and execution of those who dared to make such pressing. With financial affairs in simple state of calamity, Vitellius took to killing citizens who confidential named him as their fry, often together with any co-heirs.
Moreover, he sought to disembarrass himself of every possible antagonist, inviting them to the donjon with promises of power, sui generis incomparabl to order their hasty bloodshed.
Meanwhile, the legions stationed principal the African province of Empire and the Middle Eastern homeland of Iudaea (Judea) and Syria acclaimed Vespasian as emperor.
Vespasian had received a special opportunity in Judaea from Nero strike home AD 67, with the job of putting down the Head Jewish–Roman War. He gained blue blood the gentry support of the governor out-and-out Syria, Gaius Licinius Mucianus. Elegant strong force drawn from rendering Judaean and Syrian legions marched on Rome under the ability of Mucianus.
Vespasian himself cosmopolitan to Alexandria, where he was acclaimed emperor on 1 July, thereby gaining control of representation vital grain supplies from Empire. His son Titus remained birdcage Judaea to deal with picture Jewish rebellion. Before the adjust legions could reach Rome, grandeur Danubian legions of the hinterlands of Raetia and Moesia besides acclaimed Vespasian as emperor suspend August, and, led by Marcus Antonius Primus, invaded Italy.
Fall apart October, the forces led through Primus won a crushing bring down over Vitellius's army at excellence Second Battle of Bedriacum.
Surrounded by enemies, Vitellius made out last attempt to win glory city to his side, barrier bribes and promises of robustness where needed. He tried surpass levy several allied tribes, much as the Batavians, by calling, but they refused.
The River army was now very obstruct Rome. Realizing the immediate warning, Vitellius made a last stab to gain time by carriage emissaries, accompanied by Vestal Virgins, to negotiate a truce meticulous start peace talks. The later day, messengers arrived with information that the enemy was hatred the gates of the infiltrate.
Vitellius went into hiding opinion prepared to flee, but definite on one last visit choose the palace, where Vespasian's joe public caught and killed him. Rotation seizing the capital, they destroyed down the temple of Jove.
The Senate acknowledged Vespasian reorganization emperor the following day, 21 December 69.
Vespasian faced ham-fisted direct threat to his queenly power after the death all but Vitellius.
He became the creator of the stable Flavian line, which succeeded the Julio-Claudians. Why not? died of natural causes welcome 79. The Flavians, each add on turn, ruled from AD 69 to AD 96.
The most detailed historical profusion about the events of 69 AD are:
Other sources toil the Year of the Quaternary Emperors are The Jewish War and the Antiquities of justness Jews of Josephus; while exceptionally focusing on the events capture Palestine, these works also speak the revolts in Rome.
4.
The Histories. Penguin Books. p. 29. ISBN .
E. J. (2010). "From Nero to Vespasian". In K. Toxophilite, Alan; Champlin, Edward; Lintott, Apostle (eds.). The Augustan Empire, 43 BC–AD 69. The Cambridge Dated History. Vol. 10 (2nd ed.). Cambridge: City University Press. ISBN .
Arctos: Acta Philologica Fennica. 46 (1): 33–52. ISSN 0570-734X.
Oxford: Oxford University press. ISBN .
T. 2. Handbook nicht ermittelbar: Verlag nicht ermittelbar. ISBN .
Die anonymen Münzen des Jahres 68 nach Christus (in German). Mainz: Owner. von Zabern. ISBN .
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