Annius Gallus

Family: Otho · Role: cavalry and infantry commander · First appears: Histories I.85-88

Life events

Otho appointed Suetonius Paulinus, Marius Celsus, Annius Gallus, and Licinius Proculus to command the forces.(Histories I.85-88)
- With: Otho Suetonius Paulinus Marius Celsus Licinius Proculus
- “In command of the cavalry and infantry he placed Suetonius Paulinus, Marius Celsus, and Annius Gallus, but the man in whom he put most faith was the Prefect of the Guards, Licinius Proculus.”
Otho placed Annius Gallus and Vestricius Spurinna in command of forces sent to hold the Po.(Histories II.10-13 · 📍 the Po)
- With: Vestricius Spurinna
- “Annius Gallus was placed in command of these forces with Vestricius Spurinna, and they were sent forward to hold the line of the Po.”
Annius Gallus restored order and prevented defeated troops from murdering their fellow soldiers.(Histories II.41-44 · 📍 Bedriacum)
- With: Titianus Celsus
- “Annius Gallus had already placed sentinels on guard and got the men under control.”
Mucianus appointed Annius Gallus and Petilius Cerialis to the chief command.(Histories IV.67-70 · 📍 Rome)
- With: Mucianus Petilius Cerialis
- “He had already appointed Annius Gallus and Petilius Cerialis to the chief command”

employer: Otho “In command of the cavalry and infantry he placed Suetonius Paulinus, Marius Celsus, and Annius Gallus, but the man in whom he put most faith was the Prefect of the Guards, Licinius Proculus.”

employer: Otho “Meanwhile the war opened successfully for Otho. At his order the armies of Dalmatia and Pannonia started from their base. They comprised four legions, each of which had sent forward detachments two thousand strong. The rest followed at a short interval: the Seventh legion raised by Galba, the Eleventh and Thirteenth, both composed of veteran troops, and the Fourteenth, which had won great distinction by crushing the rebellion in Britain. Nero had further increased their glory by choosing them for special service, which accounts for their lasting loyalty to Nero and their keen support of Otho. But the stronger their numbers the greater their self-confidence and the slower their march. The cavalry and auxiliaries preceded the main body of the legions. From Rome itself came no mean force, five regiments of Guards with some detachments of cavalry and the First legion. To these were added an irregular force of 2,000 gladiators, a shameful assistance of which during the civil wars even strict generals availed themselves. Annius Gallus was placed in command of these forces with Vestricius Spurinna, and they were sent forward to hold the line of the Po.”

with Spurinna (Spurinna informed Annius Gallus by letter.) “Spurinna, learning the enemy's route, informed Annius Gallus by letter of all that had happened, the defence of Placentia and Caecina's plans.”

friends with Suetonius Paulinus “Annius Gallus had been hurt a few days before by a fall from his horse, but messengers were sent to inquire his views, and they reported that he too agreed.”

protégé: Titianus (Annius Gallus's intervention protected Titianus from the mutinous troops.) “Night came to the aid of Titianus and Celsus, for Annius Gallus had already placed sentinels on guard and got the men under control. Using remonstrances, prayers, and commands, he had induced them not to add to the disaster of their defeat by murdering their own friends.”
protégé: Celsus (Annius Gallus's intervention protected Celsus from the mutinous troops.) “Night came to the aid of Titianus and Celsus, for Annius Gallus had already placed sentinels on guard and got the men under control. Using remonstrances, prayers, and commands, he had induced them not to add to the disaster of their defeat by murdering their own friends.”

employer: Mucianus “He had already appointed Annius Gallus and Petilius Cerialis to the chief command, and distinguished officers as they were, he was afraid the conduct of such a war might be too much for them.”

Extracted from the original text of Tacitus — The Histories & The Annals (Books I-VI) & Agricola. Made with Rho MD.