The civil war of 69 AD

[G-Manicus]

I've been reading "69 AD - The Year of the Four Emperors" by Gwyn Morgan in which he chronicles the event of that fateful year. I'm about 1/3 of the way through and we're up to the point where Otho's and Vitellius' troops are on the verge of coming to blows. The book quotes heavily throughout from the ancient sources, but thus far there has been no reference to either Galba, Otho, or Vitellius making mention of Vespasian. I'm not certain if Morgan has perhaps omitted any such references to add to his chronological storytelling and that he'll get to it eventually when Vespasian makes his bid for power, or if truly none of the 3 took him into account in their various civil war / usurper equations.

 

Can anyone shed any light on this for me? I would think that any good usurper would take stock of any and all rivals out there ... especially those with legions in the field. Were there any attempts to bring Vespasian into the fold or nullify his influence by any of the 3 (prior to Vitellius' defeat of Otho that is)?

Edited April 25, 2008 by G-Manicus

[Ingsoc]

Vespasian publicly proclaim as a pretender to the throne at July 11

 

"Tiberius Alexander, prefect of Egypt, was the first to compel his legions to take the oath for Vespasian on the Kalends of July, the day which was afterwards celebrated as that of his accession; then the army in Judaea swore allegiance to him personally on the fifth day before the Ides of July." (Suentonius, life of Vespasian, 6.3)

 

Before that he even sent his son Titus to congratulate Galba on becoming the new emperor (Suentonius, Life of Titus, 5)

[G-Manicus]

Before that he even sent his son Titus to congratulate Galba on becoming the new emperor (Suentonius, Life of Titus, 5)

Thanks for that. So it would seem that Galba at least thought he was safe from Vespasian. Granted, following Galba's death things went to hell in a handbasket at an even faster rate, but are you aware of any mentions of Vesapasian during Otho or Vitellius' reigns? Were there any messages exchanged, etc? Congratulations or otherwise?

[Primus Pilus]

Indeed, while Vespasian may have been secretly plotting with Syrian Governor Caius Licinius Mucianus and Egyptian Prefect Tiberius Julius Alexander, he maintained outward loyalty and/or neutrality. Despite being aware of Vespasian's considerable influence with the Danubian legions and that of his eastern command, Vitellius was too pre-occupied with his own political nightmare in Rome to focus much energy on the possibility for far-off provincial rivalry.

[Ingsoc]

According to Suetonius Galba did indeed understand the threat that Vespasian pose:

 

"He met his end in the seventy-third year of his age and the seventh month of his reign. The senate, as soon as it was allowed to do so, voted him a statue standing upon a column adorned with the beaks of ships, in the part of the Forum where he was slain; but Vespasian annulled this decree, believing that Galba had sent assassins from Spain to Judaea, to take his life." (Life of Galba ,23)

[Divi Filius]

The fact is that the Vespasian revolt was occurring before Vitellius even entered Rome. He was marching towards the city and by the time he reached it, the Flavians had already made significant headway. Vitellius was also a lethargic one and seemed to not have been nearly as involved in the empire he just took over as he should have been.

 

but Vespasian annulled this decree, believing that Galba had sent assassins from Spain to Judaea, to take his life.

 

This falls well in line with the Flavian policy of ignoring the characters between Nero and himself. He wanted Romans to forget that age as much as possible.

 

Btw, one of the reasons why nobody paid any serious attention to Vespasian could have been very much due to the fact that he was picked by Nero because Vespasian was notorious for being lethargic and lazy. Most of the circles around Rome knew that he didnt seem to have much interest in politics from his very birth. In fact, until he became emperor, most thought his brother would be the family highlight. Compared to his, Vespasians careers was filled with fluked and mediocrity. Nero, one of the most paranoid of all, felt safe enough giving Vespasian the province and 3 legions.

Edited June 10, 2008 by Divi Filius

[ASCLEPIADES]

Thanks for that. So it would seem that Galba at least thought he was safe from Vespasian. Granted, following Galba's death things went to hell in a handbasket at an even faster rate, but are you aware of any mentions of Vesapasian during Otho or Vitellius' reigns? Were there any messages exchanged, etc? Congratulations or otherwise?

Salve, Amici

 

Both LC Tacitus (Historias, Liber II, cp. I-V) and C Suetonius T (Titus, cp. V) state Titus receive the news of Galba's death at Corinth and then return to Judea with his father, consulting the oracle of the temple of Venus of Pafos on his way back, where he got a good omen. Both authors told us too that Vespasian showed copies of a letter from Otho (probably forged) where the latter asked his help against Vitelius. Vespasianus was in Alexandria (and Titus in Jerusalem) when letters came with the news that Vitellius had been routed at Cremona by Primus and then slain at Rome.

[G-Manicus]

Interesting. Thanks for the info/insights, guys.