Vitellius (April - December 69CE)

Vitellius (16 April - 22 December 69CE). Aulus Vitellius Germanicus Augustus was the third of the emperors in the year of the Four Emperors. He was declared emperor by his Legions of Lower Germany on January 2. He was the first to add the cognomen "Germanicus" instead of Caesar to his name. He was lazy, self-indulgent, licentious and an obese glutton, choosing to eat banquets several times a day rather than running the empire. Upon realizing that his support was waning, he prepared to abdicate in favor of Vespasian, but was executed in Rome by Vespasian's troops on December 22.