Portrait of Vitellius

This portrait of Vitellio was incorporated to the Torlonia collection from the Albani collection. Vitellius was the first to add to his nomen the honorific Germanic surname in place of Caesar , the latter title which fell out of favor in many districts of Rome due to Nero's actions.Aulus Vitellius Germanicus Augustus was the eight Roman Emperor An authoritative character, of sure prestige and of high social status: the lips tightened firmly, the resolute gaze only partially hidden by the bushy eyebrows. The face of this character vaguely recalls that of the emperor Vitellius portrayed on the coins (Vitellius reigned for a few months in 69 AD), and the suggestion is also confirmed by the story of Suetonius, which describes his extreme fatness due to excessive crapule .