VITELLIUS, AULUS


Meaning of VITELLIUS, AULUS in English

born AD 15

died Dec. 20, 69, Rome

Roman emperor (69), the last of Nero 's three short-lived successors.

Vitellius was commander of the Lower German army when Nero died and was proclaimed emperor by his troops. When he marched on Italy, Otho, a rival emperor, committed suicide. Vitellius entered Rome but there had to contend with Vespasian , whose army had also proclaimed him emperor; the troops of Vitellius lost to those of Vespasian. Vitellius's Praetorian Guard prevented him from abdicating, but he was captured by troops, dragged through the streets, tortured, and killed.

Britannica English dictionary.      Английский словарь Британика.