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The Year of the Four Emperors refers to 69 AD, a politically unstable period in the [[Roman Empire]] during which four different emperors came to power in the space of a single year.

The Year of the Four Emperors refers to A.D. 69, a politically unstable period in the [[Roman Empire]] during which four different emperors came to power in the space of a single year.

The tumultuous period began in March of 68 AD with a revolt against the unpopular taxation policies of the already unpopular Emperor Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus, better known as [[Nero]]. Roman Governor [[Servius Sulpicius Galba]] joined in the revolt and marched on Rome to install himself as Emperor. Facing with the disloyalty of his army, the Praetorian Guard and the Senate, Nero fled Rome and committed suicide on June 9. His death also marked the end of the Julio-Claudian dynasty, which had ruled since the beginning of the empire.

The tumultuous period began in March of A.D. 68 with a revolt against the unpopular taxation policies of the already unpopular Emperor Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus, better known as [[Nero]]. Roman Governor [[Servius Sulpicius Galba]] joined in the revolt and marched on Rome to install himself as Emperor. Facing with the disloyalty of his army, the Praetorian Guard and the Senate, Nero fled Rome and committed suicide on June 9. His death also marked the end of the Julio-Claudian dynasty, which had ruled since the beginning of the empire.

Galba took power, but quickly lost the support of the senate and armed forces. He refused to pay the soldiers who had helped him attain the throne, and he arrested and executed many of his perceived rivals and critics. On January 1 of 69 AD, the legions of Germania Inferior refused to swear allegiance and obedience Galba, and on the next day, they acclaimed their governor [[Vitellius]] as emperor. However, before Vitellius could seize power, a young noble named Marcus Salvius Otho bribed the Praetorian Guard to kill Galba. The assassination was accomplished on January 15 and the senate proclaimed Otho emperor in the same day.

Galba took power, but quickly lost the support of the senate and armed forces. He refused to pay the soldiers who had helped him attain the throne, and he arrested and executed many of his perceived rivals and critics. On January 1 of A.D. 69, the legions of Germania Inferior refused to swear allegiance and obedience Galba, and on the next day, they acclaimed their governor [[Vitellius]] as emperor. However, before Vitellius could seize power, a young noble named Marcus Salvius Otho bribed the Praetorian Guard to kill Galba. The assassination was accomplished on January 15 and the senate proclaimed Otho emperor in the same day.

Otho's reign would be short, as Vitellius was already marching on Rome to take power. Otho offered to share power with the advancing governor, but Vitellius rebuffed the offer and the two sides met in the inconclusive [[Battle of Bedriacum]]. Soon after the battle, on April 16, Otho committed suicide. His rule had lasted 90 days<ref>http://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Cassius_Dio/63*.html#64-13.2</ref>

Otho's reign would be short, as Vitellius was already marching on Rome to take power. Otho offered to share power with the advancing governor, but Vitellius rebuffed the offer and the two sides met in the inconclusive [[Battle of Bedriacum]]. Soon after the battle, on April 16, Otho committed suicide. His rule had lasted 90 days<ref>http://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Cassius_Dio/63*.html#64-13.2</ref>