The last of the three generals to claim the short-lived title of Roman emperor during the chaotic year of 69 AD following the death of Nero.
Vitellius was the son of Emperor Claudius's closest associate, and though it made a successful career easier, Vitllius proved himself to be a capable and ambitious leader. When he was incharge of affairs in Syria, the Samarian sent a delegation to complain about Pontius Pilate's misrule; he duly summoned Pontius Pilate to leave Judea and report to the emperor in Rome, thus cutting short the procurator's career.
Following the death of Nero in 68 AD, Galba had been proclaimed emperor, in which office he had appointed Vitellius (who had already served as consul and proconsul) imperial governor of Lower Germany. Winning over the not-Galba-friendly German forces, who quickly proclaimed him emperor, Vitellius marched on Rome. Along the way, Galba was murdered and replaced by Otho. Vitellius met and defeated Otho's forces in Bedriacum (modern day Calvatone), whereupon Otho committed suicide. Vitellius won the Senate's recognition and entered Rome in July, by which time the troops in the Balkans, Egypt and Syria had proclaimed Vespasian (who was then putting down the Jewish revolt in Palestine) as emperor. Leaving his son, Titus, to oversee the mop-up of the revolt, Vespasian left for Egypt to plot his moves. By December it was all over for Vitellius. He died murdered, torn to pieces and his body-parts thrown into the Tiber, the river that flows through the city of Rome.
Click here to read Josephus's account of Pilate's recall to Rome.
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