(81) Vitellius - AE sestertius, A.D. 69, 24.44 g. (inv. 93.016).
Obverse: Draped and laureate head of Vitellius r.; A(VLVS) VITELLIVS GERMAN(ICVS)
IMP(ERATOR) AVG(VSTVS) P(ONTIFEX) M(AXIMVS) TR(IBVNICIA) P(OTESTATE): Aulus
Vitellius Germanicus, imperator, Augustus, pontifex maximus, with
tribunician power.
Reverse: Lucius Vitellius, togate and bare-headed, seated l. on platform,
clasping hand of first of three togate citizens standing before him; behind
them, a togate citizen seated r.; in exergue, S(ENATVS) C(ONSVLTO): by decree
of the Senate; L(VCIVS) VITELL(IVS) CENSOR II: Lucius Vitellius, censor
for the second time.
Provenance: Harlan Berk, 1992.
Bibliography: C.H.V. Sutherland, The Roman Imperial Coinage I: from 31
BC to AD 69, rev. ed. (London 1984) 134.
Aulus Vitellius Germanicus was one of three men who quickly rose and fell
from the rank of Augustus in A.D. 69. He initially came into high office
through the influence of his distinguished father, Lucius. He was governor
of Lower Germany when the revolt against Nero began, and the troops that
at first supported Galba quickly switched their allegiance to him. After
the death of Galba and the proclamation of Otho, his army defeated Otho's,
and after Otho's suicide the Senate recognized Vitellius. He attempted to
abdicate when Vespasian's troops moved against him, but the offer was refused,
and he was put to death by Vespasian after only eight months in power.
Like Galba, Vitellius preferred realism in his portraits. His coins show
a middle-aged man (he was fifty-six when he died) with a short military
haircut. The flabby cheeks, double chin, and huge neck confirm reports of
his obesity.
The emperor's father, Lucius, had married into the family of Augustus and
was far more distinguished than his son. He was consul under Augustus
and Claudius and was made censor in A.D. 49. His son celebrated both
his father's consular and censorial offices on his coins. On the reverse
of this sestertius Vitellius depicts his father in his position as censor.
C.L.L.
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