Vitellius

Aulus Vitellius Germanicus
Vitellius was born in 15 AD to Lucius Vitellius, former consul and governor of Syria. In 48 he was a consul and later served as Proconsul of Africa. In 68 he was appointed by Emperor Galba to command the Roman armies in Germania Inferior. Vitellius' Legates, Caecina and Valens, turned their soldiers against Galba and declared Vitellius as emperor on January 2nd, 69.  Vitellius received the support of the western provinces and his army started heading to Rome. However, in the meantime Otho had seized the throne in Rome. Otho's forces were defeated in battle by Vitellius' army, and Vitellius himself arrived at Rome on July of 69. Soon after he learned that Vespasian had been proclaimed emperor in the east with the support of the Roman legions in the Balkans. As Valens had been taken ill and Caecina joined Vespasian, Vitellius' army was finally defeated. On December of 69 Vespasian's troops took over Rome and Vitellius was killed.