Year of Four emperors

Question 1

Galba

Answer 1

Many executions on return
Suet: Lucius Sabinus … put down (after his grab for throne, sabinus = Praetorian prefect

Tacitus: dominated by … Titus Vinius … Cornelius Laco | Suetonius: controlled … three favourites … Titus Vinius … Cornelius Laco

Refused promise of Army pay: Suet: refused … make good … promise of pay … army

Denarius of Galba 68 Minted in Spain: ‘Rome, Victorious’

Dies 69, five days after adopting Piso

Question 2

Otho

Answer 2

Tacitus: ‘tied himself to the wagon wheel’ adoption was ‘growing ambition’

Tacitus: shocking crime committed … acquiescence of all

Suet: haunted that night … servants … found him screaming on the floor

Acts of the Arval brethren: stone plaques cataloguing imperial rights: these inserted him directly into the principate position

Tacitus: ‘men had to constantly attune themselves to the latest rumour’ (Uncertain volatile Rome)

April 69: Battle of Benactum, lost due to Vitellius’ overwhelming local support and support from Valens and Caecina

Question 3

Vitellius

Answer 3

Tacitus: the mob … applauded him … reluctant as he was to take title of Augustus … refusal as idle as his previous one

Tacitus: Soldiers … ceased to brace themselves by toil (Lazy army between Valens and Caecina)

Tacitus: Fooling away his money as if in abundant supply (Glutton) - believed to have squandered 9 million sesterces in one month

24th October, second battle of Benactum: Vitellian legions defeated

20th Dec, troops of Antonius enter the city ending Vitellius’ reign (Antonius one of Vespasian’s generals) Tacitus: People wailing on his body even after he was dead