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Archaeologists Discover Large Roman Building under Tree Where Coin Hoard Was Found, Clues of Barbarian Invasion
The ruins of a 4th century AD Roman building which was burned down have been discovered right underneath the spot where a Roman coin hoard has recently been found in the roots of a tree. Photo: Video grab from BTA
The foundations of a large Ancient Roman building which may have been burned down during a barbarian invasion in the 4th century AD have been discovered in the town of Mezdra in…
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On 24 September 15 AD, Aulus Vitellius, one of the emperors from 69 AD (the year of 4 Emperors) was born. Here are some facts about Vitellius:
When his parents saw his horoscope, they were so horrified they tried to keep him from governing a province or commanding an army.
In his youth, he was a guest of Emperor Tiberius on Capri and the most malicious rumors say that he was one of the emperor's tiddlers - boys trained to sexually please him - which in turn won political advancement to Aulus's father Lucius.
Galba named Vitellius commander of the Rhine legions because he believed he was too lazy and incompetent to lead a rebellion and declare himself emperor.
He was the only one who didn't take the name Caesar as part of his regnal name, choosing Germanicus instead.
He allegedly feasted four times a day. Extravagant dishes like pheasant brains and flamingo tongues were served at these feasts.
When his army was defeated by Vespasian's legions, he tried to abdicate but his supporters wouldn't let him.
After his final defeat, he tried to hide but was dragged by an angry jeering mob to Gemonian stairs and savagely killed. His head was then paraded through the streets of Rome and his body was thrown into the Tiber.
Roman Coin Hoard Found by Chance under Tree 'Confirms' Existence of Roman Town in Bulgaria's Mezdra
Roman Coin Hoard Found by Chance under Tree ‘Confirms’ Existence of Roman Town in Bulgaria’s Mezdra
This photo of the Roman coin hoard found in Bulgaria’s Mezdra was apparently taken immediately after its accidental discovery. Four-fifths of the pictured coins, however, have gone missing. Photo: Mezdra Municipality
A coin hoard of Ancient Roman silver coins, which has been discovered by accident in the roots of a large tree in the town of Mezdra in Northwest Bulgaria, according to…
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Day 8: Vitellius
Vitellius was largely a victim of communication delays. He followed Galba's example, but by the time he got near Rome, Otho was emperor. On the other side of the empire, Vespasian thought he was marching on Otho, but ended up fighting with Vitellius.
But there's something much more interesting about Vitellius that not enough people talk about!
There was a tradition for a new emperor to change their name. This started when the senate granted Octavian the new title "Augustus," and continued, well, pretty much forever. Within the Julio-Claudian family, this was often a sort of two-step process: adoption by the emperor added "Caesar," and then being emperor added "Augustus."
For example, Tiberius went from Tiberius Claudius Nero when he was Augustus's step-son to Tiberius Julius Caesar when he was Augustus's son to Tiberius Julius Caesar Augustus when he was emperor.
For a bigger intra-familial jump, Nero went from Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus (what a name!) to Nero Claudius Caesar Drusus Germanicus to Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus.
Note the "Germanicus."
When Galba became emperor, in order to affirm his legitimacy and to add himself to the tradition, despite not being related to the Julio-Claudians, he took on their name: his name as emperor was Servius Sulpicius Galba Caesar Augustus. This was really the final breaking point: neither "caesar" nor "augustus" indicated any sort of relation to the Augustus any longer. They were both just imperial titles.
Otho, at least, agreed, and also added Caesar Augustus.
But Vitellius didn't.
His name as emperor: Aulus Vitellius Germanicus Augustus.
My favorite thing about Vitellius is that he bucked tradition and made the bold statement that he was not going to associate himself with that old dictator Caesar. Instead, he was going to associate himself with the ultra-popular Germanicus. Germanicus, the man who died before he could be the best emperor ever. Germanicus, nephew of Tiberius, father of Caligula, brother of Claudius, grandfather of Nero.
Did it make a difference?
Anonymous, Italian School. Bust of Emperor Vitellius, in the Hall of Mirrors. ca. 17th century.
Gilt bronze, marble, and porphyry.
Château de Versailles. Versailles, France.
