A BRONZE PORTRAIT RELIEF OF THE EMPEROR VITELLIUS

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A BRONZE PORTRAIT RELIEF OF THE EMPEROR VITELLIUS
INSPIRED BY THE ANTIQUE, LATE 18TH/EARLY 19TH CENTURY

inscribed VITELLIUS--12 3/8in. (31.5cm.) high, on wood stand, greenish black patina

Lot Essay

Aulus Vitellius became Emperor in AD 69., having ousted Galba with the help of the Rhine armies. His period as Emperor however, was marked by his capacity for vice, gluttony and dishonesty. His failure to deal with his responsibilities as Emperor resulted in long warfare, during which the Capitol was burned to the ground. Eventually, the Flavian troops were successful and Vitellius was put to death.