What is Year of the Four Emperors?
The '''Year of the Four Emperors''' was a year in the history of the [[Roman Empire]], AD 69, in which four emperors ruled in a remarkable turnover. The four emperors were ''' [[Galba]]''', '''[[Otho]]''', '''[[Vitellius]]''', and '''[[Vespasian]]'''. The suicide of emperor [[Nero]], in 68, was followed by a brief period of civil war, the first [[Roman civil wars|Roman civil war]] since [[Mark Antony]]'s death in 30 BC. Between June of 68 and December of 69, [[Ancient Rome|Rome]] witnessed the successive rise and fall of Galba, Otho and Vitellius until the final [[accession]] of Vespasian, the first ruler of the [[Flavian Dynasty]]. This was an example of the political disturbances which occurred in the history of the [[Roman Empire]]. The military and political anarchy created by this civil war had serious repercussions, such as the outbreak of the [[Batavian rebellion]]. The [[Jewish Revolt]] was already ongoing. [[File:Roman Empire 69AD.PNG|thumb|center|400px|The Roman Empire, 69. After the death of emperor [[Nero]], the four most influential generals in the Empire successively vied for the imperial power.]] == The succession == === Nero to Galba === [[File:Nero Glyptothek Munich 321.jpg|thumb|150px|right|Nero]] [[File:Stockholm - Antikengalerie 4 - Büste Kaiser Galba.jpg|thumb|150px|right|Galba]] By June of 68, the Senate took the initiative to rid itself of Nero, declaring him a public enemy and Galba emperor. The [[Praetorian Guard]] were bribed to betray Nero, and Nero committed suicide. Galba was recognized as emperor and welcomed into the city at the head of his [[Roman legion|legions]]. Galba did not remain popular for long. On his march to Rome, he either destroyed or took enormous fines from towns that did not accept him immediately. In Rome, Galba cancelled all the reforms of Nero, including benefits for many important persons. The army was not happy either. After his safe arrival in Rome, Galba refused to pay the rewards he had promised to soldiers who had supported him. The Roman [[treasury]