The Year of the Four Emperors

by Kenneth Wellesley

After Nero's notorious reign, the Romans surely deserved a period of peace and tranquility. Instead, during AD69, three emperors were Galba, just days into the post, Otho and Vitellius. The same year also saw civil war in Italy, two desperate battles at Cremona and the capture of Rome for Vespasian, which action saw the fourth emperor of the year, but also brought peace.
This classic work, now updated and reissued under a new title, is a gripping account of this tumultuous year. Wellesley also focuses on the year's historical importance, which also marked the watershed between the first and second imperial dynasties.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

272 pages, Hardcover

First published July 20, 2000

Reviews

[Andrew Dockrill · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Year of the Four Emperors took place upon the death of Nero in 68 AD. With his death, Rome fell into confusion and civil war beginning when the elderly Galba took the reins of the empire at the elderly age of 70. Everyone in Rome was quite content with Galba as emperor as they knew he would provide much needed stability but he would simply act as a stop gap until the next emperor was announced. A close associate of Galba was Otho who was the perfect age to become the next emperor and he was the assumed natural choice, however Otho would be greatly disappointed. Galba decided that a man named Piso would take charge of the kingdom - which he would only rule technically for 2 days. When Galba heard of this he started a coup d'etat and brought Galba down by bringing some of the local legions to his side. Arguably one of my favorite events of this day in January was when the praetorian guards working for Otho confronted Galba and all of Galbas men including Piso abandoned him. However only one Roman knight remained by his side named Sempronius Densus who drew his sword stood his ground and attempted to defend Otho's men to keep Galba alive - but he would die defendng Galba. IT was a shame that Gaba had died the way he did as he did seem like a good man with Rome's best interests at heart, saying upon his death "if you kill my death is what is best for Rome, so be it" Even Piso would die aswell.

Otho would not have a very secure reign as Vitellius, with the support of his legion naming him as emperor in the east when he had been standing governor he began making his way towards Rome, moving through Lyon and through Northern Italy landing at Cremona where Othos army had tried to hold off Vitellius's legions. Otho would eventually kill himself after the defeat as he did not wish to see anymore Roman's kill eachother and eventually ran himself through with his knife.

Eventually the second battle for Cremona would be fought and the Flavian reign would begin with Vespasian.

All in all the book was fantastic, fun, and easy to read would recommend it to anyone interested in Roman history.

[Jim Bogue · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a splendidly written account of the year 69, when four Emperors in succession (and sometimes simultaneously) held or tried to hold Rome. Wellesley knows his sources and the ground that the fighting took place on. He shows why the four men believed they could, and should, become Emperor and why three of them failed to hold the position and paid with their lives and those of some supporters.
Wellesley’s style is both magisterial and incisive. This is a thriller, with a cast of tens of thousands and much of the Empire as a map (though, oddly, my only real caveat is a dearth of maps - he paints great word pictures but more maps would really help). Even if you know who the eventual winner will be, there is suspense and drama.
At only a little over 200 pages this is a quick read, but full of information and analysis. Anyone interested in the period should get this book!

[Brian P · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is filled with too much military movement and exact movements in battles for my own tastes. The amount of individuals it focuses on is sprawling and often leads to a lot of confusion. The actual accounts of what happens to each emperor and the final aftermath is quite good.

[R X · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wellesley does a fantastic job of explaining the turbulent year that saw the rise and fall of Galba, Otho, and Vitellius. Vespasian's presence is mostly felt through the politicking of his son Titus, the Syrian governor-general Mucianus, and the lead general in the Italian campaign Antonius, so those wanting a deeper understanding of the founder of the Flavian dynasty might be a little disappointed. However, since Vespasian was primarily in Judea at the time and the orders themselves detailed, he is handled well enough. Wellesley's intimate understanding of all things Tacitus and topography can be daunting. While the former serves to further the explanation of the rapidly changing events, the latter often distracts as the included maps are poor and the details dry. For those interested in AD 69, though, it's a must.

[Windsor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is only one of two history books that I hoped would never end. Superbly written and researched. Makes me wonder what would have happened had Vitellius lived :/ Good read with not too much politics to bogg the reader down. Want to retread this eventually.

[Stephen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book on Rome's history.