Aulus Vitellius
January 2nd – mid-July 69 AD
Born 14 – died 69 AD, age 55
Aulus Vitellius was born in 14 AD. He was a close friend of all the Emperors from Tiberius to Nero. Vitellius served in various positions, not the least of which was the important Proconsulship of Africa. His father was the famed Lucius Vitellius, who had been consul three times and a trusted administrator who ran the government for Emperor Claudius during his trip to Britain.
When Galba became Emperor, Vitellius was given the command of the mighty legions of Lower Germany. The army quickly became disillusioned with Galba’s unexpected disciplinary reforms, and on January 2nd, 69 AD, they proclaimed Vitellius Imperator.
Otho quickly disposed of both Galba and his heir Piso killing them in the Forum. Otho had convinced the Senate to confirm him as Emperor, but this did not stop the advance of Vitellius. Vitellius had organized his troops for a march south to Italy. Otho, against his advisors, went out from Rome to confront Vitellius. It was an easy victory, and Vitellius assumed the throne.
Vitellius had, in his later years, become a voracious glutton. He gave the administration of the Empire to his freedman, Asiaticus, who, in four months, became one of the richest men in Rome. Vitellius spent his time concerned about food.
Vitellius followed Augustus‘ tradition and began to issue coinage that portrayed his two children. Galba was 71 years old and could not provide an heir. Vitellius issued gold and silver coinage, displaying the image of his children as well as his father in a propaganda attempt to show his qualifications to be emperor.
Most assume that the series of Judaea Capta announcing the defeat of Israel belongs to Vespasian and his son Titus. However, Vitellius first struck the earliest coins that announced a Roman victory over the Jews. The Jewish War of Independence began in 66-67AD during the reign of Nero. Vitellius was the first to allude to it on his coinage, and his designs were adopted by both Vespasian and Titus.
The subtleties of this issue stem from the problem that it was unacceptable socially to commemorate a Roman victory over other Romans. At the time of the issue of this coin, Jerusalem had not yet been captured. Vitellius wanted to announce a victory over Otho, so he announced a victory over the Jews, which was at least acceptable. Consequently, when he lost to Vespasian, we saw Vespasian issue his Judaea Capta series on all denominations.
Despite his attempt at propaganda through coinage, Vitellius was widely viewed as incompetent. Titus Flavius Vespasianus was the commander of the legions in Alexandria at the time, and his arch stands in the Roman Forum depicting his conquest of Judaea. Vespasian was proclaimed Imperator by his legions, and upon hearing the news, Vitellius’ former Danubian legions also proclaimed in favor of Vespasian. The Danubian legions began to advance into northern Italy, easily defeating the forces of Vitellius at Cremona in October. The army then marched into Rome and looted the city while the citizens watched and even assisted. Vitellius was seized in his palace and dragged half-naked through the streets of Rome, murdered, and thrown into the Tiber River.
Monetary System
Mints: Rome, Tarraco, Lugdunum
Obverse Legends:
A VITELLIVS IMP GERMAN
A VITELLIVS IMP GERMAN IMP TR P
A VITELLIVS GERM IMP AVG TR P
A VITELLIVS GERMA IMP AVG P M TR P
A VITELLIVS GERMAN IMP AVG P M TR P
A VITELLIVS GERMANICVS IMP
A VITELLIVS GERMANICVS IMP AVG P M TR P
Spanish Tarraco Mint
AR Denarius (Head Left/Victory left) Rare issue
DENOMINATIONS
AU Aureus (7.40 grams)
AR Denarius (3.65 grams)
AE Sestertius
AE Dupondius
AE As
Dynastic Issue Displaying His Children on the Reverse
AU Aureus (Laurel had right/two children facing each other)
AR Denarius (Laurel had right/two children facing each other)
Colonial
AR Billion Tetradrachm (Egypt)
COUNTERFEIT/Imitations
AE Sestertius (Paduan Imitation)
