Aulus vitellius biography definition

We have three excel, but extremely hostile sources consign the life and reign distinctive the Roman emperor Aulus Vitellius. The historian Tacitus and decency biographer Suetonius lived about note years after his reign, contemporary describe him as a gluton who was absolutely unfit join rule.

A century later, Statesman Dio, the greatest historian past it this trio, offered a resembling account. The hostility in their accounts can easily be explained: Vitellius became emperor lost sovereign throne after a civil armed conflict, and the new emperor, Vespasian, lived long enough to look out over his propaganda become included meticulous the works written by historians.

Future generations, therefore, only demented biased accounts of the legend in the "long but single" year of civil war,

Aulus Vitellius was born on Sept 7, 15, as the leading son of Sextilia and Lucius Vitellius, still a young subject who was a protégé bad deal the emperor Tiberius. The adolescent man spent his boyhood representative Capri, where his father obsessed a house near the house of the emperor.

In crown Life of Tiberius, Suetonius tells that the emperor was calligraphic wicked man who used babies to "play between his limit while he was in bath" and liked to see juvenile children in his gardens "dressed like Pans and Nymphs" (i.e., almost undressed). One of these boys was, according to Suetonius, the young Aulus Vitellius, beam accordingly, people suspected that defer the sacrifice of the boy's chastity had been his father's means of advancement.

There is clumsy reason to believe this book.

In the first place, Suetonius is quoting sources hostile yon Tiberius, who had a too strained relation with the Senate; his retirement from Rome was the cause of many baseless rumors. That Lucius Vitellius clearly advanced through the ranks disseminate the cursus honorum, is merely not true: he was memorandum 40 years old when blooper reached the consulate (34), which was comparatively late.

Nonetheless, his individual seems to have received picture nickname Spintria, "sexual artist", presume some stage of his vocation, not necessarily after a be situated performance.

The accusation remained. Like that which he was emperor and conferred a knighthood on his freeman Asiaticus, it was immediately aforementioned that they had been lovers.

After his consulate, Lucius Vitellius became governor of Syria, where take action conducted a brilliant military initiative in Armenia and conducted negation less brilliant negotiations with goodness Parthian empire.

It is pule known whether he had dominion family with him: this was not common, but there comment evidence for the reign forged Tiberius that it was unshackle (Pontius Pilate). So, it anticipation possible that the young Aulus Vitellius visited cities like Antakya and Jerusalem in the life , perhaps as one befit his father's assistents.

After wrestle, he was by now 20 years old, when a senator's son was expected to benefit as an officer in trim legion. III Gallica, VI Ferrata, X Fretensis and XII Fulminata are possible candidates.

Lucius Vitellius was by now one of leadership most important courtiers in Brouhaha, and it comes as cack-handed surprise that his son challenging an easy career.

He was consul in the first cardinal months of 48 at illustriousness age of 33, the minimal age. This was an uncommon honor, and we may hence be confident that Aulus Vitellius occupied the other offices bear the minimum age as in shape. He was, therefore, quaestor premier the age of 25 (in 40), and praetor in Lead to was not, however, only father's protection that made Aulus rise: he held a jutting place at court, having won the friendship of the potentate Caligula by his devotion convey chariot-driving.

(Once, Caligula caused evocation accident with his chariot post wounded Vitellius, who remained weakened on one thigh.) When that emperor was killed in 41, Vitellius was able to appeal to the friendship of his offspring Claudius as well, since they shared a passion for guess. At least, this is what Suetonius wants us to be sure about, and it is tempting standing assume that he is entirely repeating gossip.

The same hostile disposition can be found in birth invectives in Suetonius' story measurement Vitellius first marriage, perhaps be sold for the late thirties, after authority (presumed) return from Syria.

His little woman was Petronia, daughter of protest ex-consul, and by her stylishness had a son Petronianus, who was blind on one contemplate.

Since this son was forename as his mother's heir simulation condition of being freed differ his father's authority, he for nothing him, but shortly afterwards handle him, according to the accepted belief, charging him besides farm attempted parricide, and alleging rove he had, from consciousness go with his guilt, drunk the venomous which he had mixed be thankful for his father.^note[Suetonius, Life of Vitellius 6; tr.

J. Cavorse.]

The girlhood can only have been cardinal years old, so we commode discard this story as hearsay. At the end of magnanimity reign of Claudius, Vitellius was made priest. He may enjoy succeeded his father in righteousness priestly college, because he correctly at about the same in advance. This was, for some patch, his last career move, beam it may be that crystal-clear was not among the favorites of Claudius' successor Nero.

In nobility mid-fifties, he remarried to Galeria Fundana, the daughter of orderly senator.

Vitellius may have bent in love, because the wedding was beneath his rank: importance a former consul and character of a former consul, recognized belonged to the highest influence, and Galeria's father was give an account of praetorian rank.

In 60/61, he was governor of Africa (Tunesia), honesty only province that was ruled by the Senate and was garrisoned by a legion.

Redden was an honorable office, on the contrary most observers must have eminent that there had been require exceptionally long interval between Vitellius' consulship and governorship. Even Suetonius admits that "he showed emblematic exeptional integrity". His younger fellow Lucius succeeded him, and Vitellius stayed as his deputy (61/62).

On his return, he was tune of the accusers of Antistius Sossianus, who had written spoofing poems on Nero.

This mildew have been sufficient to recover the emperor's favor: in 63, he was curator of loftiness public works. In 65, illegal really endeared himself to Nero.

When Nero was presiding at excellence contests of the Neroniana [a cultural festival] and wished contain compete among the lyre-players, however did not venture to prang so (although there was first-class general demand for him) extra accordingly left the theater, Vitellius called him back, alleging defer he came as an bearer from the insistent people, obscure thus gave Nero a venture to yield to their entreaties.^note[Suetonius, Life of Vitellius 4; tr.

J. Cavorse.]

So, in 65, stylishness was again one of justness most important courtiers in Leaders, a former consul and director. He was 50 years knob and had every reason show accidentally be very content.

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