Roman Empire β Silver Denarius of Emperor Vitellius (69
Rare emperor from the 4-emperor year.Vitellius (69 A.D.): Vitellius (69): Denarius, 2.9 g, Rome. A VITELLIVS GERMANICVS IMP, head to the right // CONCORDIA, Concordia sitting towards the left with the horn of plenty and patera. Scratch to the front. RIC 73, rareVitellius was emperor for just eight months, in 69 A.D., also known as the Year of the Four Emperors, due to the quick succession of emperors: Galba, Otho, Vitellius and eventually Vespasian. Vitellius belonged to the Roman aristocracy and didn't care much for the army. Under Nero, he was called one of the largest sycophants and he often held excessive, glutinous banquettes, sometimes four in one day. That he succeeded Galba was due more to luck than to wisdom. During his short reign he had many people killed. When he wanted to give his title to Vespasian out of cowardice, the people become so angry that he was lynched.See... Read More