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The Reader’s Notebook: Vitellius

The Roman emperor Vitellius in toga. Borghese Collection. Purchase 1807. Louvre museum (Paris, France)
Public Domain
The Roman emperor Vitellius in toga. Borghese Collection. Purchase 1807. Louvre museum (Paris, France)

Aulus Vitellius was Roman emperor for eight months, from 19 April to 20 December AD 69. Vitellius became emperor following the quick succession of the previous emperors Galba and Otho, in a year of civil war known as the Year of the Four Emperors.