Galba

Also known as: Servius Galba · Family: Roman · Role: emperor · First appears: Histories I.1-4

In A.D. 69, Galba began his second consulship with Titus Vinius as colleague. When the troops in Rome deserted Nero and transferred their allegiance toward him, Galba entered Rome amid the slaughter of thousands of unarmed soldiers. He executed Cingonius Varro and Petronius Turpilianus without hearings, ordered Trebonius Garutianus to kill Clodius Macer in Africa, and summoned Verginius under a pretence of friendship before barring his return and charging him with treachery. His power was shared by Titus Vinius and Cornelius Laco, while his freedman Icelus also held great influence.

Fearing revolt, Galba held an Imperial Election and adopted Piso Licinianus, offering him the throne as successor and publicly addressing him as emperor. He recovered most of the gifts granted by Nero, cashiered Antonius Taurus, Antonius Naso, Aemilius Pacensis, and Julius Fronto, and entrusted commands and governorships to men including Caecina, Calpurnius Asprenas, Lucceius Albinus, Valerius Marinus, and Antonius Primus. Otho, who had joined Galba’s party and served as one of his distinguished officers, turned against him after soldiers grew indignant over the postponement of Galba’s largess and fearful of reassignment.

On January 15, while Galba sacrificed, Otho seized imperial power, and Galba’s authority effectively ended: “Galba in total ignorance and intent upon his sacrifices continued to importune the gods of an empire that had already ceased to be his.” Otho’s soldiers entered the Forum, Atilius Vergilio cast down Galba’s medallion, and Camurius is most commonly said to have killed him with a sword-thrust to the throat. Argius, Galba’s former slave and steward, later gave his neglected body a humble burial; afterward, Antonius Primus ordered Galba’s fallen statues restored, and Domitian moved that all his honours be restored.