|
In June of 68 CE, the Emperor Nero, the last of Julio-Claudians, was dead, and another had already claimed the title of Emperor,
Servius Sulpicius Galba. Governor of Hispania Tarraconensis AD 61-68, but Galba didn't arrive in Rome until October of 68, and did not live beyond January of
69. He was murdered by Marcus Salvius Otho, Governor of Lusitania AD
58-68. Otho was in Rome as Galba's follower, but had him murdered. Otho was proclaimed Emperor in January of 69. But by then another had already claimed the title,
Aulus Vitellius, Governor of Lower Germany, who's legions proclaimed him Emperor for no better reason then he was there Commander. So far, contention had been resolved in suicide and murder, now there was to be civil war. In the two
Germanies, there were seven legions and as many Auxiliaries. Vitellius could count on most, enough to seize Rome and imperial power. Otho did not command such power, no legion was bound to his person, for his former province had none. In Rome there was the Praetorians, 4,500 men at most, a legion of ex marines (I
Adiutrix), and some auxiliaries, and some detachments from the Danube frontier, these were not enough, his real hope was the five legions on the Danube, plus the two in
Dalmatia. The men were willing, if the legions in Germany would have Vitellius, the Danube legions would have
Otho. The cause of Vitellius was denuding the Rhine frontier of its troops, now the cause of Otho would do the same for the Danube. But Otho's plans, and Otho's men were slow, at
Bedriacum, near Cremona, in northern Italy, the two armies would
|
|
