vitellius had behind him the finest elite legions of the empire, composed of veterans of the germanic wars. these would prove to be his best arguments to gain power. otho was not keen to begin another civil war and sent emissaries to propose a peace and inviting vitellius to be his son-in-law. it was too late to reason; vitellius' generals had half of his army heading to italy. after a series of minor victories, otho was defeated in the battle of bedriacum. rather than flee and attempt a counter-attack, otho decided to put an end to the anarchy and committed suicide. he had been emperor for a little more than three months.