Roma Numismatics Ltd
E-Sale 98 16 Jun 2022
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Vitellius AV Aureus. Rome, AD 69. A VITELLIVS GERM IMP AVG TR P, laureate head to right / XV VIR SACR FAC, tripod-lebes surmounted by dolphin, raven standing to right below. RIC I 108; C. 110; BMCRE 38; Biaggi 288 = Calicó 584; Roma XXIII, lot 874 (hammer: £17,000). 7.23g, 18mm, 5h.
Very Fine. Very Rare.
From the collection of Z.P., Austria.
Emperor for only eight months, Vitellius was the third to take the purple during the Year of the Four Emperors in AD 69. Consul in 48 and Proconsul of Africa in 60/61, Vitellius commanded the army of Germania Inferior in 68, where he made himself extremely popular with the officers and soldiery through lavish extravagance and lax discipline. It was because of two of his legion commanders on the Rhine that he was acclaimed emperor by the legions in Germania, and they were soon joined by the armies of Britannia, Gaul and Raetia. With Otho's suicide, Vitellius gained the throne without the need for excessive bloodshed. His short lived reign was characterised by excessive feasting, gambling and indolence. Suetonius records some of the greater outrages which led to his being deserted in favour of Vespasian: 'Acting more and more in open violation of all laws, both divine and human, he assumed the office of Pontifex Maximus, upon the day of the defeat at the Allia; ordered the magistrates to be elected for ten years of office; and made himself consul for life.' Fortunately a direct military confrontation between Vespasian and Vitellius proved unnecessary - supporters of Vespasian assassinated Vitellius after a reign of just eight months, and according to Suetonius he was dragged through the streets and tortured, before his body was unceremoniously dumped into the Tiber.
Very Fine. Very Rare.
From the collection of Z.P., Austria.
Emperor for only eight months, Vitellius was the third to take the purple during the Year of the Four Emperors in AD 69. Consul in 48 and Proconsul of Africa in 60/61, Vitellius commanded the army of Germania Inferior in 68, where he made himself extremely popular with the officers and soldiery through lavish extravagance and lax discipline. It was because of two of his legion commanders on the Rhine that he was acclaimed emperor by the legions in Germania, and they were soon joined by the armies of Britannia, Gaul and Raetia. With Otho's suicide, Vitellius gained the throne without the need for excessive bloodshed. His short lived reign was characterised by excessive feasting, gambling and indolence. Suetonius records some of the greater outrages which led to his being deserted in favour of Vespasian: 'Acting more and more in open violation of all laws, both divine and human, he assumed the office of Pontifex Maximus, upon the day of the defeat at the Allia; ordered the magistrates to be elected for ten years of office; and made himself consul for life.' Fortunately a direct military confrontation between Vespasian and Vitellius proved unnecessary - supporters of Vespasian assassinated Vitellius after a reign of just eight months, and according to Suetonius he was dragged through the streets and tortured, before his body was unceremoniously dumped into the Tiber.