Otho

Family: Roman · Role: emperor · First appears: Galba 6

Born on 28 April, Otho was the younger son of Lucius Otho and Albia Terentia, alongside Lucius Titianus. His grandfather was M. Salvius Otho, and Salvius Otho was his father; later, Salvius Cocceianus was identified as his nephew. Through Poppaea Sabina, whom Nero had entrusted to him, Otho gained Nero’s favour and became one of his principal favourites. He received Poppaea Sabina and went through the form of marrying her, but barred Nero and his messengers from her; the marriage was dissolved, and Otho was sent to Lusitania, where he governed as quaestor for ten years with moderation and justice.

When an opportunity for revenge arose, Otho joined Galba while hoping to gain the empire himself, distributing gold to Galba’s guards and cultivating the soldiers’ support. He expected to be adopted by Galba, but Piso was preferred, after which “he turned his thoughts to obtaining his purpose by the use of violence.” He funded a conspiracy, enlisted guards, took possession of the pretorian camp, and was saluted Emperor by the soldiers. He sent men to kill Galba and Piso, accepted the name Nero given him by the mob, restored Nero’s images and statues, and promised money to complete the Golden-house.

Otho offered Vitellius partnership in the empire and marriage into his family, but war followed. He advanced against Vitellius with great speed, gained advantages in several engagements, and was defeated at Bedriacum. He then sent Messalina, Nero’s widow, a message entrusting her with his relics and memory, sent his brother, nephew, and friends away, destroyed his letters, and distributed his money among his domestics. At break of day he stabbed himself beneath the left breast; “thus life soon ebbed away.” His funeral was hastily performed in the thirty-eighth year of his age and the ninety-fifth day of his reign, while soldiers mourned him beside the funeral pile.