Ancient Rome - 69 CE Vitellius AV Aureus NGC Choice F

Vitellius. AD 69. AV Aureus (7.12g). Struck at the Rome mint. RIC I 106; Calico 571; BMCRE 33; BN 70; Biaggi 282 . Obverse: AVITELLIVS GERM IMPAVGTRP around rim, laureate head of Vitellius facing right. Reverse: PONT MAXIM Vesta seated facing right holding scepter. Beaded border on both sides. Nicely centered example.

Marble bust of emperor Vitellius at the Bardo National Museum of Tunisia.

Vitellius was emperor for just eight months in 69 CE. He was declared emperor after the quick succession of the preceding emperors Galba and Otho, in a year of civil war famous in Roman history as the 'Year of the Four Emperors.'  Vitellius was the first Roman ruler to add the honorific cognomen of Germanicus to his name rather than Caesar after becoming emperor. Similar to his predecessors, Vitellius endeavored to unite public support to his cause by honoring and emulate Nero who was still quite well-liked throughout the empire.

His authority was soon confronted by legions stationed in Rome's eastern provinces, where their commander Vespasian was proclaimed emperor to supplant Vitellius. This challenge led to war, resulting in a devastating loss at the Second Battle of Bedriacum in northern Italy. After coming to the realization that he was losing support, Vitellius attempted to abdicate in favor of Vespasian. However, his forces would not allow it, and he had to battle Vespasian's forces in a bloody standoff in Rome itself. He was executed in the imperial capital by Vespasian's troops in December of 69.