20TH CENTURY

Aulus Vitellius (15-69 A.D.) was the last of Nero's three short-lived successors. In the midst of the disturbances following Nero's death, Vitellius' troops proclaimed him emperor on 2 January 69. He marched on Italy and on 16 April the rival emperor Otho committed suicide which opened Vitellius way to Rome. In July, however, another commander, Vespasian, had also been proclaimed emperor. Vitellius considered abdication but the Praetorian Guard forbade such a move and when Vespasian's troops entered Rome on 20 December, Vitellius was murdered with great barbarity by his own soldiers.