emilio
Sergeant
- Joined
- Sep 21, 2010
- Messages
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Y LUCIUS AEMILIUS ROTUNDUS
KRONPRINZ TOY SOLDIERS SATURDAY POST
BEDRIACUM (CREMONA) - The self-proclaimed Emperor Aulus Vitellius Germanicus has suffered a clamorous defeat in the city of Bedriacum at the hands of the troops of Titus Flavius Vespasian led by his legatus Marco Antonio Primo. It is suspected that at this time Vitellius may have killed himself although his body has not yet been found among casualties.
Only a few months ago, on April 14 of this same year, Vitellius took the imperial insignia by defeating and killing the former Emperor Otto in this same city, from what should now be known as the first battle of Bedriacum.
As a curiosity, we must note that the praetorian guards of Vitellius are the same praetorian guards of Otto, recruited by the hitherto emperor after his spring victory.
Although the forces were even, five legions on each side and the imperial troops were already inside the city, the victory of Vespasiano's men has been quick, since they have managed to reduce the enemy in only two days.
The losses of the victors have been important, more than 15,000 men, the equivalent of more than two legions, nevertheless Vitellius has suffered losses of 35,000 soldiers, almost all his army if we do not count the auxiliaries.
The two protagonists of this confrontation, until now Emperor Vitellius, and Vespasian to whom from now according to the news, as yet unmasked we should acclaim as the new Emperor, they coincided in several military destinations during his Cursus Honorum.
In Britania participated both in the invasion of the islands under the mandate of the emperor Claudius, being Vespasiano legatus of XX Legion. Even then, their relations were strained after Vitellius belonged to such extremely ambitious and dangerous political military men. It is said that he participated in an intrigue to get the box of legions that Julius Caesar had to leave abandoned in Britania when retiring to the continent.
The fighting in the streets has been very violent, the defense at all costs made by the praetorians of Vitelio, managed to delay only a few hours of defeat.
We have to keep in mind that urban fighting does not allow us to get the best of the tactics and discipline of our legions.
