Submitted by Bija Knowles on Thu, 07/09/2009 - 10:15
A Little-known Fact
A little-known fact about the emperor Titus Flavius Vespasianus is that he shares his name with a common word for public latrines in Italian. Not only were the antique communal latrines, such as those at Ostia Antica – see photo – referred to as 'vespasiani', but modern-day urinals in Italy, including the portable plastic versions often seen outside stadiums, also go by that name.
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.
