Gem

Sommerville: Alabaster. Vitellius, eighth Emperor of Rome. He was proclaimed by his soldiers at Cologne on the death of Galba, A.D. 69, but reigned less than one year, being overthrown by Vespasian. The vices of Vitellius made him a favorite with Tiberius, Caligula, and Nero, who loaded him with favors. His only talent seemed to be for eating and drinking, and his excesses in this line seem almost incredible. When the soldiers of Vespasian approached Rome, Vitellius hid himself in a sewer, but the enraged populace found him, dragged him out, and, after subjecting him to every kind of public ignominy, stabbed him and threw his bosy into the Tiber. Greek and Roman Cameos, Case SS.