Aulus Vitellius's reign as Roman Emperor was short-lived. Having succeeded emperors Galba and Otho, Vitellius was met with extreme challenge by legions intent on making Vespasian emperor in his place.
Vitellius began his political career as Consul in 48, and in 68 he was selected to command the army of Germania Inferior. The personal and professional connections he made while commander eventually led to his promotion to Emperor. Though he was recognised as the emperor by the Senate, the rest of the Roman world failed to acknowledge his rise to power.
In July 69, the armies of the eastern provinces began a determined military campaign to install Vespasian in Vitellius's place. Vitellius was eventually killed by these armies in December 69, despite the Emperor's attempt to accede the throne peacefully to Vespasian.
Though Germanicus was never an emperor himself, he belonged to the Julio-Claudian dynasty and was a powerful commander himself. He was the nephew of emperor Tiberius, father of emperor Caligula, brother of emperor Claudius, and grandfather of emperor Nero. Germanicus married Agrippina the Elder who would go on to become a popular and distinguished Roman Princess.
Germanicus was most noted for his exploits as the commander of the forces in Germania. His death brought with it great public grief, and he was awarded many posthumous honours, including his ivory statue as the head of procession of the Circus Games.
This two-bayed arch was originally sited at the end of the Roman road from Lyons to Saintes, marking the entrance to a bridge over the river Charente. It was moved during the 19th century whilst work was being carried out to quays on the river. The dedicatory inscription on the attic is hard to read, however the dedication to Germanicus is still discernible, giving the arch its modern name. Below this is a dedication to the donor of the arch and his ancestors. This is repeated on all four sides of the structure.
