Editing Vitellius (section)

===Challenges===
In July 69, Vitellius learned that the armies of the eastern provinces had proclaimed a rival emperor: their commander, [[Vespasian|Titus Flavius Vespasianus]]. As soon as it was known that the armies of the East, [[Dalmatia (Roman province)|Dalmatia]], and [[Illyricum (Roman province)|Illyricum]] had declared for Vespasianus, Vitellius sent several legions under Caecina to prevent the Eastern armies from entering Italy, but Caecina, dissatisfied with Vitellius's poor administration, attempted without success to defect to Vespasian. This undermined the morale of the Vitellian legions, and they were decisively defeated at the [[Second Battle of Bedriacum]]. Fabius Valens was then sent by Vitellius to rally supporting armies in Gaul, but forces loyal to Vespasian captured and executed him soon after. Vitellius, now deserted by many of his adherents, prepared to abdicate the title of emperor.<ref name="EB1911"/>