Directory

69 CE

Tiberius Julius Alexander orders his legions in Alexandria to swear allegiance to Vespasian as emperor. Batavian rebellion: The Batavians in Germania Inferior (Netherlands) revolt under the leadership of Gaius Julius Civilis. Second Battle of Bedriacum: Flavians under Antonius Primus defeat the Vitellians.

Geopolitics & Diplomacy

  • January 1 – The Roman legions in Germania Superior refuse to swear loyalty to Galba. They rebel and proclaim Vitellius as emperor.source
  • July 1 – two legions in Egypt, a legion in Syria, and a legion in Judea declare Vespasian emperorsource
  • The Danubian legions of Raetia and Moesia proclaim Vespasian as emperor.source
  • Otho seizes power in Rome, proclaims himself emperor, and reigns for three months before committing suicide.source

Conflict & Security

  • April 14 – First Battle of Bedriacum: Vitellius defeats Otho's legions; Otho commits suicide.source
  • April 17 – After the First Battle of Bedriacum, Vitellius becomes emperor.source
  • July 1 – Tiberius Julius Alexander orders his legions in Alexandria to swear allegiance to Vespasian as emperor.source
  • July 3 – The army of Judea swears allegiance to Vespasian as emperor.source
  • August 1 – Batavian rebellion: The Batavians in Germania Inferior (Netherlands) revolt under the leadership of Gaius Julius Civilis.source
  • October 24 – Second Battle of Bedriacum: Flavians under Antonius Primus defeat the Vitellians.source
  • In Gallia Belgica, cohors II Tungrorum, raised from the inhabitants of Atuatuca Tungrorum in the north-west of the Ardennes Forest, revolt against the Romans.source
  • Marcus Vettius Bolanus becomes the new governor of Britain and faces a second insurrection of Venutius, king of the Brigantes.source
  • Judea: The Jewish Revolt – Vespasian lays siege to Jerusalem; the city is captured the following year by his son Titus.source
  • Legio I Macriana liberatrix is disbanded.source
  • The Batavians attack Roman forts on the Rhine frontier; Fectio and Traiectum (modern Utrecht) are destroyed.source
  • The Year of the Four Emperors: After Nero's death, Galba, Otho, Vitellius and Vespasian succeed each other as emperor during the year. The year is marked by numerous instances of a breakdown in discipline and mutinous conduct amongst the Roman legions and the praetorian guard.source
  • German warbands cross over to join the revolt and attack the fortress at Mainz.source
  • Marcus Trebellius Maximus, governor of Britannia, is forced to flee to Gaul after a mutiny of Legio XX Valeria Victrix at Deva Victrix (Chester).source

Religion & Belief

  • January 10 – Lucius Calpurnius Piso Licinianus is adopted by Galba and appointed to deputy Roman Emperor.source
  • Josephus, Jewish rebel leader, is dragged before Vespasian and becomes his historian (he "prophesied" him his elevation to the purple).source

Crime & Justice

  • January 15 – Galba and his adopted son Piso are murdered by the Praetorian Guard on the Roman Forum.source
  • December 22 – Vitellius is captured and murdered by the Gemonian stairs. Vespasian becomes emperor.source

Births

  • Gaius Suetonius Tranquillus, Roman historian (approximate date)source
  • Polycarpus, bishop and martyr of Smyrna (d. AD 155)source

Deaths

  • January 15 – Cornelius Laco, Roman praetorian prefect (murdered)source
  • January 15 – Lucius Calpurnius Piso Licinianus, Roman deputy emperor (b. AD 38)source
  • January 15 – Sempronius Densus, Roman bodyguard (killed)source
  • January 15 – Servius Sulpicius Galba, Roman emperor (b. 3 BC)source
  • April 16 – Marcus Salvius Otho, Roman emperor (b. AD 32)source
  • December 20 – Titus Flavius Sabinus, Roman consul (murdered)source
  • December 22 – Aulus Vitellius Germanicus, Roman emperor (b. AD 15)source
  • Lucius Vitellius (the Younger), Roman politician (executed)source
  • Sextilia, mother of Aulus Vitellius and Lucius Vitellius (suicide)source
  • Titus Vinius, Roman general and consul (b. AD 12)source
  • Sporus, Roman freedman and male lover of Nero (suicide)source
  • Titus Flavius Sabinus, brother of Vespasiansource
  • Cartimandua, Queen of the Brigantes (approximate date)source
  • Locusta, Roman female poison expert to Nero (executed)source