| Emperors between AD 14 - AD 98 |
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Tiberius Caligula Claudius Nero Year of the Four Vespasian Titus Domitian Nerva
Nero was succeeded by Galba, who had had connections to Tiberius and received many honors over the years. Under Nero he had kept one foot in each camp, so to speak: he knew of the assassination plots but did not inform the emperor of them. However, when he was placed on Nero's extermination list he declared himself "vir militaris," that is, a military representative of the Senate and the Roman people. Trying to recreate the congenial relationship between Augustus and the Senate, Galba appointed a cadre of advisors. With the support of the Praetorian Guard he was named emperor. But a series of misjudgments led to his rule lasting only two months.
Another general, Otho, organized a conspiracy with some Praetorians. On the promise of rewards, they killed Galba and installed Otho in his place. Otho tried to consolidate support by granting more citizenships abroad as well as by taking a conservative role at home.
Meanwhile, some troops in Germania had refused allegiance to Galba, declaring their own commander, Vitellius, to be emperor instead. Vitellius and his troops were marching towards Rome even as Otho was taking Galba's place. Their two armies met outside of Rome and Otho's forces did not fare well. Foreseeing the outbreak of another bloody civil war, Otho took his own life and Vitellius succeeded him.
But Vitellius, too, had a very short career: Vespasian was a very popular general, governor of Judea, and favored by some of Otho's former supporters. Before Vitellius could muster more troops, a second battle ensued in the same area where Vitellius had fought Otho. Vitellius's forces were defeated. Within two days of the battle, Vespasian's supporters marched into Rome, where Vitellius was found hiding. He was tortured, killed, and thrown into the Tiber.
Sources:
The Oxford Classical Dictionary
http://www.roman-emperors.org
-- J.Jahnige, November 2003
Tiberius Caligula Claudius Nero Year of the Four Vespasian Titus Domitian Nerva
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