Vitellius and Vespasian: The End of the Civil War

 Vitellius' Arrival in Rome

• Vitellius arrived in Rome on 17th July, 69 AD
• His six-month reign would be characterised by dissent, mutiny and uncertainty
• Both Suetonius and Tacitus vilify Vitellius:
• "he was ignorant of all law, human and divine" - Tacitus

Vitellius' Emperorship

• Vitellius' shortcomings as emperor would only serve to strengthen Vespasian's cause and bolster his popularity

Read Tacitus 2.90-91 and Suetonius, Vitellius, 10-12

List:

• The titles and powers assumed by Vitellius
• His attitude towards the Senate, Praetorians and people
• His failures as emperor according to Tacitus and Suetonius

Military Moves 1

• Vitellius consciously ignored the threat from Vespasian until September of 69 AD when Vespasian's forces began their invasion of Italy
• Vitellius' deputy Caecina was sent north with the Germanic legions. However their long stay in Rome had made them disorganised and ill-disciplined
• Worse still, Caecina planned to betray Vitellius and join with the fleet commander at Ravenna in deserting to Vespasian's cause

"Historians of this war who wrote during the Flavian dynasty have flatteringly described the motives of these men as "concern for peace" and "patriotism". My own view is that in addition to a natural instability of character and the cheapening of loyalty which was a consequence of their betrayal of Galba, a jealous fear that rivals would outpace them in Vitellius' affections induced them to ruin Vitellius himself" - Tacitus 2.101

Military Moves 2

• When Caecina attempted to switch sides, his own legions refused to follow his command and put him in chains
• Vitellius' other deputy, Valens, was sent north to deal with the situation
• During this confusion the legions on the Danube had marched into Italy under Marcus Antonius Primus, who was acting independently from the main Flavian forces
• The two opposing forces met near the city of Cremona in Northern Italy

Battle of Cremona

• The two forces were evenly matched, though since Valens had not yet arrived the Vitellian forces were without a leader
• Fighting was heavy, and lasted through the night with significant losses on both sides
• However, when the sun rose the third legion (Flavian), who had served in Syria, had adopted a local custom of turning east and saluting the rising sun
• When the Vitellian legions saw this, they assumed their enemy were welcoming fresh reinforcements, and so lost the stomach for fighting and fled
• The Vitellius camp was captured, and Antonius then besieged and destroyed Cremona itself, leaving Rome open to assault

Chaos in Rome

• Antonius began a steady march towards Rome, but since he had not been instructed by Mucianus or Vespasian his motives were in question
• Valens travelled to Gaul in a bid to find support for Vitellius, but he was captured and executed
• In Rome itself, clashes sparked between Vitellius and Flavian supporters, led by Flavius Sabinus, Vespasian's brother. Vespasian's son, Domitian, was also living in Rome with his uncle and was in great danger
• Violence continued over the coming months as Vitellius and Flavius Sabinus attempted negotiations. In one clash, the Temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus, Rome's most sacred temple, was burned to the ground, and Sabinus was killed

The Storming of Rome

Suetonius, Vitellius, 15

• What did Vitellius promise the people of Rome once he had heard of the revolt of Vespasian?
• Vitellius promised any volunteer who joined the army full-service pay and pensions. He also used "limitless spending" for private and public generosity
• Who did Vitellius try to bargain with? what was promised to him and why did this bargain fail?
• Tried to negotiate with Sabinus, Vespasian´s brother ' but when he announced his resignation the soldiers demanded he "take heart" and remain firm, and not accept the offer
• What actions did Vitellius take against the Flavians inside the city?
• Vitellius rejected the offer - he attacked Sabinus, drove the Flavian supporters onto the Capitoline Hill, trapped them in the Temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus, and then burned them alive

Tacitus, 3.84-86

• What happened to the Praetorians [Vitellians] once Rome was stormed by Vespasian's forces?
• The Praetorians were wiped out in the fighting, fighting for Vitellius
• What was the fate of Vitellius?
• Vitellius was caught fleeing the palace by the Flavian soldiers. They dragged him to the Gemonian Steps near the Forum and he was killed by the Flavian soldiers. When one of the soldiers mocked him his last words were "but I was still once your emperor" - Tacitus saus this was "noble" even though the rest of his reign had been rather ignoble!
• What happened to Domitian?
• Domitian had been in hiding throughout the civil war, fearing for his life. Now that Vespasian's forces had won he came out of hiding to greet the soldiers. He was hailed as "Imperator" and "Caesar" and taken to the palace - thus began the Flavian dynasty