the Danubian army, Otho ordered an attack upon the
Vitellians at Cremona. His army was defeated and he took his own life.

*Vitellius, April-December, 69 A. D.* Thereupon Vitellius was recognized
as princeps by the Senate and his forces occupied Rome. Vitellius owed his
nomination to the energy of the legates Valens and Caecina, and, although
well-meaning and by no means tyrannical, showed himself lacking in energy
and force of character. He was unable to control the license of his
soldiery who plundered the Italian towns or his officers who enriched
themselves at the public expense, while he devoted himself to the
pleasures of the table.

Meanwhile the army of the East, which had recognized Galba, Otho and, at
first, Vitellius also, set up its own Imperator, Titus Flavius
Vespasianus, who as legate of Judaea was conducting a war against the
Jews. Vespasian himself proceeded to occupy Egypt and thus cut off the
grain supply of Rome while his ablest lieutenant, Mucianus, set out for
Italy. The Danubian legions, who had supported Otho, now declared
themselves for Vespasian and, led by Antonius Primus, marched at once upon
Italy. The fleet at Ravenna espoused Vespasian's cause, and Caecina, who
led the Vitellians against Primus, contemplated treachery. His troops,
however, were loyal, but were defeated in a bloody night battle at Cremona
and the way lay open to Rome. Vitellius then opened negotiations and
offered to abdicate, but his soldiers would not let him and suppressed a
rising in Rome led by the brother of Vespasian. Thereupon the city was
stormed and sacked by the army of Primus. Vitellius himself was slain.

*Vespasian, December, 69 A. D.* Vespasian obtained his recognition as
princeps from the Senate and the troops in the West. He entered Rome early
in 70 A. D.

VI. VESPASIAN AND TITUS, 69-81 A. D.

*Caesar an imperial title.* Following the example of Galba, Vespasian on
his accession took the name of Caesar, which became from this time a
prerogative of the family of the princeps. The new princeps inherited from
his predecessors two serious wars, both national revolts against Roman
rule, the one in Gaul and Lower Germany, the other in Judaea.

*The revolt of the Batavi, 69 A. D.* The movement in Lower Germany was
headed by Julius Civilis, a Batavian chieftain, formerly an officer in the
Roman service, who won over the eight Batavian cohorts attached to the
Rhine army. At first he pos