VITELLIUS, AULUS

born AD 15 died 69, Rome Roman emperor, the last of Nero's three short-lived successors. Aulus was the son of the emperor Claudius' colleague as censor, Lucius Vitellius, who was also consul three times. Aulus himself became consul in AD 48 and proconsul in Africa (c. 61). He was appointed commander of the Lower German army in 68. In the midst of the disturbances following Nero's death, he was proclaimed emperor by his troops (Jan. 2, 69). He marched on Italy, and on April 16 the rival emperor Otho committed suicide. Vitellius entered Rome in July, but on July 1 a commander of the eastern legions, Vespasian, had also been proclaimed emperor. After Vespasian's troops defeated Vitellius' forces, Vitellius considered abdication; but his Praetorian Guard forbade such a move, and, when troops loyal to Vespasian entered Rome on December 20, Vitellius was murdered with great barbarity by his own soldiers.