Battle of Bedriacum#First Battle of Bedriacum

In the place Bedriacum (also Betriacum ), located in northern Italy between Cremona and Mantua, a decisive battle of the Roman Civil War over the succession of Nero took place on April 14, 69.

The legions of the two Germanic provinces of Germania inferior and Germania superior were threatening to invade Italy to enforce the claim to power of them by the emperor proclaimed Vitellius in Rome. They were under the command of Fabius Valens and Caecina Alienus. On March 14, 69 had Otho, who had made himself emperor in Rome by Galba had to be killed, leaving Rome to oppose the Vitellianern. Otho based his power on the Praetorian Guard. He was inferior to the troops of Vitellius number, but was hoping for support from the Danube legions under Marcus Antonius Primus, who ultimately failed to materialize.

End of March, at Placentia (Piacenza ) to the first fighting between Caecina, the first to succeed in the Alps crossing, and the troops of Otho. Beginning of April arrived a Fabian and the two vitellianischen troops united in Cremona. Otho had set up his headquarters in Brixellum ( Brescello ). As vitellianische pioneers were preparing to build a bridge over the Po of Bedriacum, Otho was attacking. Without support the Danube legions Vitellianer were superior to two -to-one and won. After the defeat, Otho took after 95 -day reign life. Vitellius, who was during the fighting in Gaul, marched with his legions to Rome, where he was confirmed by the Senate as emperor.

Another Battle of Bedriacum took place between Vitellius and Vespasian on 24 October of the same year. This decided the struggle for succession in the Nero's Four Emperors final year in favor of Vespasian and the Flavian dynasty.

Swell

• Tacitus Historiae. Book II, 39-49 ( online copies: Latin, English )
• Plutarch: Emperor Biographies