CAECINA ALIENUS, AULUS

born , Vicetia, Venetia [now Vicenza, Italy] died AD 79 Roman general who, during the civil wars of 69, played a decisive role in making first Aulus Vitellius and then Vespasian rulers of the empire. As a quaestor in Spain, he aided the successful revolt of Servius Sulpicius Galba, governor of Nearer Spain, against the emperor Nero in 68. After Galba was made emperor (ruled June 68 to January 69), Caecina served as a legate in Germania Superior until Galba had him censured for embezzlement. Caecina then sided with Vitellius, who had been proclaimed emperor by the troops of Germania Superior and Inferior. Galba was killed by forces loyal to Marcus Salvius Otho. Otho was made emperor, but his reign ended when Caecina crushed his forces near Cremona on April 16. Vitellius then became sole emperor and made Caecina consul, but Caecina soon betrayed him. Vitellius' forces fell at Cremona in October 69. Vespasian was installed as emperor two months later. Caecina received imperial honours but was not employed by Vespasian. In 79 Vespasian's son, Titus, had Caecina executed as an alleged conspirator.