69 A.D.: The Year of Four Emperors [Paperback]

Gwyn Morgan (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0195315898 | ISBN-13: 978-0195315899 | Publication Date: March 2, 2007

The Year of Four Emperors, so the ancient sources assure us, was one of the most chaotic, violent, and frightening periods in all Roman history. It was a time of assassinations and civil war, of armies so out of control that they had no qualms about occupying the city of Rome, and of ambitious men who ruthlessly seized power only to have it wrenched from their grasps.
In 69 AD, Gwyn Morgan offers a fresh look at this period, based on two considerations to which insufficient attention has been paid in the past. First, that we need to unravel rather than cherry-pick between the conflicting accounts of Tacitus, Plutarch and Suetonius, our three main sources of information. And second, that the role of the armies, as distinct from that of their commanders, has too often been exaggerated. The result is a remarkably accurate and insightful narrative history, filled with colorful portraits of the leading participants and new insights into the nature of the Roman military.
A strikingly vivid account of ancient Rome, 69 AD is an original and compelling account of one of the best known but perhaps least understood periods in all Roman history. It will engage and enlighten all readers with a love for the tumultuous soap opera that was Roman political life.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Nero's suicide in June of A.D. 68 touched off a tumultuous year in the Roman Empire, full of political intrigue, social upheaval and military disorder. With judicious historical insight, Morgan, who teaches classics and history at the University of Texas–Austin, provides a first-rate history of this chaotic year while challenging many of the reigning theories. Unlike earlier books, Morgan's incorporates the versions of Tacitus, Plutarch, Suetonius and Dio in his quest for a balanced account. Galba was the first of four emperors to rule in this one-year span. But he never achieved popularity, and Otho, one of Nero's closest companions, murdered him in January 69 and took the reins. A civil war erupted between Otho's supporters and those of Vitellius, leading to Otho's suicide in April. The Senate then confirmed Vitellius as emperor, though his nine-month reign was marked by great extravagance. In December, the Senate acclaimed Vespasian, who had murdered Vitellius, as emperor, and he brought an end, temporarily, to the civil strife in the empire. Despite its turbulence, Morgan prudently points out that the year 69 was not the period of total anarchy that others have claimed. Although at times pedantic and even turgid, Morgan's book provides a superb portrait of this enigmatic and intriguing year. 4 maps. (Dec.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"Morgan's book is a fresh and accessible look at a period that has been discussed, with sometimes horrified fascination, since antiquity itself."--Times Literary Supplement

"Morgan's acute analyses and wry judgments on each episode as well as the whole year are indispensable, however one might differ on details, for he is never satisfied with the obvious or even the ingenious; his analysis of Othonian strategy before Bedriacum is particularly striking."--The International History Review

"A superb portrait of this enigmatic and intriguing year."--Publishers Weekly

"Few people rival Gwyn Morgan in knowledge of Tacitus' Histories. The result is a fine narrative, cogent and convincing, of this momentous year."--Herbert W. Benario, author of Tacitus Germany

"This important book on the Histories of Tacitus surpasses earlier works on the civil wars that shook Rome and its empire in the year of 69. Like Tacitus, Morgan illuminates the universal themes that make the history of this one year significant for all time--the political and social upheavals consequent on a contested transfer of power; the nature of military and political leadership, the psychology of the military and civilian masses who are involved in, or spectators of, civil war. General readers will be enlightened and moved by Morgan's narrative, while specialists will appreciate the solid scholarship on which it is founded."--Mark Morford, Professor of Classics Emeritus, University of Virginia

"Gwyn Morgan has produced a long-awaited and engagingly written account of the Year of Four Emperors that is unfailingly instructive and a pleasure to read. Not surprisingly, since it is based on a careful reconsideration of all the sources, while it will provide enjoyment for many, it will also prove controversial in some quarters."--Leslie Murison, author of Galba, Otho and Vitellius: Careers and Controversies

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Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (March 2, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0195315898
• ISBN-13: 978-0195315899
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #604,177 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting Topic, May 17, 2006

By 

David Montgomery (Beaufort, North Carolina) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: 69 AD: The Year of Four Emperors (Hardcover)

69 A.D.: The Year of Four Emperors is a very interesting book on a topic I knew very little about, though I've read books on other periods in Roman history. Professor Morgan's book is strong on analysis as he compares and contrasts the ancient sources, i.e. Tacitus, Plutarch, Dio, Seutonious, Josephus and the so called Common Source. Morgan also begins by mentioning the other books written on this period and what their strengths and weaknesses were.

The historical period in question begins with the reign of Nero and his suicide in 68 A.D. Nero's death marked the end of the Julio-Claudian dynasty and ushered in a brief period of usurpations starting with Galba, followed by Otho, then Vitellius and finally Vespasian who ushered in the Flavian dysnasty that would rule for over 25 years. We get glimpses of these four individuals, how they achieved the highest office in Rome, and what roles their supporters and opponents played, including the legions, various generals and other members of Roman society.

This was a very unsettled time in Rome's history (to say the least), but Morgan doesn't give it the impression of threatening the empire's survival. There are many brutal acts committed including those against some of the usurpers, one emperor's supporters against another would-be emperor's supporters, and Roman citizens in various locations, including Cremona and Rome itself. No one really comes off looking that good throughout this period of instability. I still felt the information was too sketchy on many points, which I guess shouldn't be surprising considering how long ago this was and the limited historical evidence.

Morgan is good in pointing out the strengths and weaknesses of the ancient sources for this period, especially concerning Tacitus. As any student of history mustn't forget, those who write history often have their own agendas or biases, as Morgan discusses. The methods for writing and stylistic approaches were often very important for these early writers as well. The appendices at the end are very helpful. There are a few maps in this book, though I would have liked a few more.

Overall, this is an informative book written by an expert who knows his subject matter. I wish I could comment more intelligently on some of his interpretations, which could be open for debate I feel. This of course has a lot to do with the ancient sources and figuring out whose versions are more accurate. The views on Galba and Otho for example are discussed in one of the appendices to show some of these conflicting opinions. In terms of readability, I had to slow down more often for this book, partly due to my own lack of knowledge of this particular period in Rome's history. A good book.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Civil war in Rome, December 29, 2005

By 

Frank J. Konopka (Shamokin, PA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: 69 AD: The Year of Four Emperors (Hardcover)

This is a well-written book that details the important year of 69 A.D., when the Roman Empire was ruled by four different men. It combines several of the ancient sources, particularly that of Tacitus, but does not accept them blindly. The author points out where the sources disagree, and even shows where what the sources wrote could not be necessarily correct. It is an exciting tale, and one that will keep the pages turning for the reader, even though he knows the ultimate outcome.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Thoughtful history, February 7, 2006

By 

History reader "carolk132" (Seattle, WA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: 69 AD: The Year of Four Emperors (Hardcover)

I thoroughly enjoyed 69 AD, just as I enjoyed Professor Morgan's Roman history courses at the University of Texas. As in his class, Professor Morgan looks critically at all the sources, applies a vast knowledge of the period and his own common sense, and makes a sound judgment of the people and events. The book is detailed, well-written, and a welcome analysis of this little-understood period in the Roman Empire.