69

Year 69 was a common year starting on a Sunday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar.

Events

By place

Roman Empire

• The Year of the Four Emperors: After Nero's death, Galba, Otho, Vitellius and Vespasian succeed each other as emperor during the year.
• January 15—Otho seizes power in Rome, proclaims himself emperor, and reigns for three months before committing suicide.
• April 14—First Battle of Bedriacum: Vitellius defeats Otho's legions; Otho commits suicide.
• April 17—After the First Battle of Bedriacum, Vitellius becomes emperor.
• October 24—Second Battle of Bedriacum: Flavians under Antonius Primus defeat the Vitellians.
• December 21—Vespasian becomes emperor.
• Batavian rebellion: The Batavians revolt, under the leadership of Gaius Julius Civilis.
• Judea—The Jewish Revolt – Vespasian lays siege to Jerusalem, which was captured the following year by Titus Flavius Vespasianus after Vespasian became emperor.
• Legio I Macriana liberatrix is disbanded.
• The Flavian dynasty starts.

Ongoing events

• Roman Empire. The Jewish Revolt in Judea (66–70).

Births

• St Polycarp of Smyrna

Deaths

• January—Locusta
• January 15—Galba, Roman Emperor
• April 15—Otho, Roman Emperor
• June 29—Saint Peter, Apostle and First Bishop of Rome
• December 22—Vitellius – killed by the army of Vespasian