Year of The Four Emperors
The year 69 is often called the "Year of the Four Emperors" because it saw four usurpers successively claim the purple. The fourth Emperor, coming from Judea, is listed in the next section due to dynastic considerations.
- Galba ("Ser. Galba Imp. Caesar Aug."; b. Ser. Sulpicius Galba; from Spain), 68– 69
- Otho ("Imp. M. Otho Caesar Aug."; b. M. Salvius Otho, From Roma), 69
- Vitellius ("A. Vitellius Germ. Imp. Aug."; b. A. Vitellius; from Germany), 69
Nero committed suicide on June 9, 68, to escape rebellious soldiers loyal to the disloyal Galba, governor of Hispania Tarraconensis (north-eastern Spain). Galba was deposed in January 69 by a disloyal member of his own entourage, Otho (Nero's governor of Lusitania, i.e., western Spain), who was in turn displaced in April by Vitellius (Nero's governor of Germania Inferior). In late December, Vitellius was deposed by the governor of Judaea, Vespasianus (see below).
Read more about this topic: Roman Emperor (Principate)
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