accession reach Gaul than VITELLIUS, a general of the army of the
Rhine, revolted. Otho marched against the rebels, was defeated, and
committed suicide after a reign of three months.

VITELLIUS had been a good soldier, but as a ruler he was weak and
incapable. He was killed after a reign of less than a year, during
which he had distinguished himself by gluttony and vulgar sensuality.




CHAPTER XXXIX.

THE FLAVIAN EMPERORS.

VESPASIAN (69-79).


The East now made a claim for the Emperor, and on July 1, 69, the
soldiers who were engaged in war against the revolted Jews in Judaea
proclaimed as Emperor their commander, TITUS FLAVIUS VESPASIÁNUS. He
left the conduct of the war in charge of his son Titus, and arrived at
Rome in 70. Here he overthrew and put to death Vitellius. In the
course of this struggle the Capitol was burned. This he restored,
rebuilding also a large part of the city.

In his own life Vespasian was simple, putting to shame the luxury and
extravagance of the nobles, and causing a marked improvement in the
general tone of society. He removed from the Senate many improper
members, replacing them by able men, among whom was AGRICOLA. In 70 he