vespasian had been given a special command in judaea by nero in 67 with the task of putting down the great jewish revolt. he gained the support of the governor of syria, gaius licinius mucianus. a strong force drawn from the judaean and syrian legions marched on rome under the command of mucianus. vespasian himself travelled to alexandria where he had been acclaimed emperor on july 1, thereby gaining control of the vital grain supplies from egypt. vespasian's son titus remained in judaea to deal with the jewish rebellion. before the eastern legions could reach rome, the danubian legions of the provinces of raetia and moesia also acclaimed vespasian as emperor in august, and led by marcus antonius primus invaded italy. in october, the forces led by primus won a crushing victory over vitellius' army at the second battle of bedriacum.