ROMAN EMPIRE - NOVEL Vitellius (69). Aureus ND (69), Tarragona. Av. A VITELLIVS IMP - GERMANICVS. Head laureate left, globe at point of neck. Rv. LIBERIS IMP GERMANICI. Facing busts of the children of Vitellius: his son on the left and his daughter on the right, globe at the point of the son's neck. RIC 8 (p.268) - Calicó 561 ; Gold - 7,34 g - 19,5 mm - 6 h A tiny shock or test mark at 3 o'clock on the edge. The blank has been slightly cracked by the vigorous, slightly off-centre strike. A light golden patina covers the original shine. Very rare, especially in this quality. A superb piece. Appointed after Otto's suicide on 16 April 69, the new emperor Vitellius is said to have rapidly squandered the imperial coffers with incessant banquets and triumphal processions, then attempted to raise new funds by orchestrating the deaths of wealthy flatterers who had designated him as their heir. This was a particularly bad time for the state's finances, as Vespasian, commander of the Syrian legions responsible for putting down the Great Jewish Revolt, was proclaimed rival Emperor in Alexandria on July 1. Vespasian soon received the support of Marcus Antonius Primus, commander of the Danubian legions, who marched on Rome. Vitellius' troops faced them at the second battle of Bedriacum on 24 October 69, but were severely defeated by the battle-hardened Danubian legions. Like Otto before him, Vitellius knew he had little hope of retaining power: Vitellius sent an embassy to Primus to negotiate his peaceful abdication in favour of Vespasian. Primus would have agreed to this arrangement, but the Praetorian Guard intercepted Vitellius on his way to the Temple of Concord to deposit the imperial insignia and forced him to return to the palace instead of submitting to Primus and recognising Vespasian. When Rome was finally taken by Primus in December 69, Vitellius tried to hide, but was captured. He was taken to the Staircase of the Gemonies, a traditional place of execution in the city since at least the time of Tiberius, where he was executed. Shocked by his tragic fate, Vitellius is said to have declared before the executioner took his life: "Yet I was your Emperor". His body was thrown into the Tiber and his head paraded around the city. His brother and young son were also executed.