Battle of Vesontio (68)

{{Short description|Battle in 68 AD}}

File:Besancon_boucle_Doubs.jpg

The Battle of Vesontio was a conflict in 68 AD in which Lucius Verginius Rufus defeated Gaius Julius Vindex. Vindex had rebelled against the Emperor Nero and declared his allegiance to Galba. Verginius advanced against him and a battle between their two forces took place near Vesontio (modern Besançon). What occurred then is unclear, but, despite a meeting between Verginius and Vindex, the forces under Verginius seem to have decided on a battle without orders.H. H. Scullard, From the Gracchi to Nero, p. 330. Desire for plunder and the weakness of Verginius as a commander are possible explanations.Charles L. Murison, Galba, Otho and Vitellius: Careers and Controversies (Spudasmata: Studien zur Klassichen Philologie und ihren Grenzgebieten), p. 15. Vindex was defeated in the resulting battle and subsequently committed suicide.