On This Day
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69 Roman Lower Rhine army proclaims their commander Vitellius as Emperor

Aulus Vitellius was Roman emperor, ruling for eight months from 19 April to 20 December AD 69.

Aulus Vitellius was Roman emperor, ruling 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. Vitellius added the honorific title Germanicus to his name instead of Caesar upon his accession. Like his predecessor, Otho, Vitellius attempted to rally public support to his cause by honoring and imitating Nero who remained popular in the empire.

Originally from Campania, likely from Nuceria Alfaterna, he was born to the Vitellia gens, a relatively obscure family in ancient Rome. He was a noble companion of Tiberius' retirement on Capri and there befriended Caligula.

Historical Significance

Aulus Vitellius was Roman emperor, ruling for eight months from 19 April to 20 December AD 69.

Events Before

  1. 65 Jews revolt against Rome, capturing fortress of Antonia in Jerusalem

    65 Jews revolt against Rome, capturing fortress of Antonia in Jerusalem

  2. 66 5th recorded perihelion passage of Halley's Comet

    66 5th recorded perihelion passage of Halley's Comet

  3. 68 Roman Emperor Nero commits suicide, imploring his secretary Epaphroditus to slit his throat to evade a Senate-imposed

    68 Roman Emperor Nero commits suicide, imploring his secretary Epaphroditus to slit his throat to evade a Senate-imposed death by flogging

  4. 68 Roman Senate accepts Emperor Galba

    68 Roman Senate accepts Emperor Galba

  5. 68 BC Battle of Artaxata: Lucullus averts the bad omen of this day by defeating Tigranes the Great of Armenia

    68 BC Battle of Artaxata: Lucullus averts the bad omen of this day by defeating Tigranes the Great of Armenia

Events After

  1. 70 Roman army under General Titus completes the siege of Jerusalem by destroying what remained after four months of occu

    70 Roman army under General Titus completes the siege of Jerusalem by destroying what remained after four months of occupation and plundering

  2. 70 Rome captures the first wall of the city of Jerusalem

    The siege of Jerusalem in 70 CE was the decisive event of the First Jewish Revolt against the Roman Empire (66–73 CE).

  3. 70 The Tower of Antonia is destroyed by the Romans

    70 The Tower of Antonia is destroyed by the Romans

  4. 70 Walls of upper city of Jerusalem battered down by Roman army

    The siege of Jerusalem in 70 CE was the decisive event of the First Jewish Revolt against the Roman Empire (66–73 CE).

  5. 73 Masada, a Jewish fortress, falls to the Romans after several months of siege, ending the Jewish Revolt

    73 Masada, a Jewish fortress, falls to the Romans after several months of siege, ending the Jewish Revolt

More from the 60s

69 Roman garrison at Mainz (Mogontiacum) rises in rebellion, refusing allegiance to Emperor Galba

69 Roman garrison at Mainz (Mogontiacum) rises in rebellion, refusing allegiance to Emperor Galba

60 St. Paul is thought to have been shipwrecked at Malta

Malta, officially the Republic of Malta, is an island country in Southern Europe located in the Mediterranean Sea, between Sicily and North Africa.

68 Roman Emperor Nero commits suicide, imploring his secretary Epaphroditus to slit his throat to evade a Senate-imposed

68 Roman Emperor Nero commits suicide, imploring his secretary Epaphroditus to slit his throat to evade a Senate-imposed death by flogging

64 Great Fire of Rome begins under the Emperor Nero

Early Christians were heavily persecuted throughout the Roman Empire until the 3rd century.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on January 2, 69?
Aulus Vitellius was Roman emperor, ruling 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. Vitellius added the honorific title Germanicus to his name instead of Caesar upon his accession.
Why is 69 Roman Lower Rhine army proclaims their commander Vitellius as Emperor significant?
Aulus Vitellius was Roman emperor, ruling for eight months from 19 April to 20 December AD 69.

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January 2 in HistoryYear 69