Year of the Four Emperors: Difference between revisions
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==Otho== | ==Otho== | ||
Otho came to prominence during [[roman::Caludius]]' reign when he discovered a plot to assassinate the emperor. Before that he had been riotous youth according to Suetonius and would catch drunkards and tie them in a blanket. But it was not until his fates intertwined with [[roman:Nero]] did he fame reach infamy. It was Otho who married the impossibly beautiful yet cunning [[roman::Poppaea Sabina]] who was also desired by Nero. We know that Suetonius played around with the chronology of events to insinute that it was Poppaea who was the main protagonist for disposing of Nero's mother [[roman::Aggripina]]. Inreality there was no way a three way affair between Otho, Nero and Poppaea could have lasted without someone being poisoned sooner rather than later. Therefore it is more likely that Nero took up with Poppaea slightly later than Nero. In any case Nero had Otho sent to [[place::Lusitania]] as governor so mthat he could pursue Poppaea without the nuisance of a histbad pooping up from time to time. In any case he seemed to take his poitiing to Lusitania with equanimity and ruled for ten years with a degree of good stewardship and justice. Nonetheless he fell behind Galba during his coup. Nero was out and given Galba's advanced age, believed he would be | Otho came to prominence during [[roman::Caludius]]' reign when he discovered a plot to assassinate the emperor. Before that he had been riotous youth according to Suetonius and would catch drunkards and tie them in a blanket. But it was not until his fates intertwined with [[roman:Nero]] did he fame reach infamy. It was Otho who married the impossibly beautiful yet cunning [[roman::Poppaea Sabina]] who was also desired by Nero. We know that Suetonius played around with the chronology of events to insinute that it was Poppaea who was the main protagonist for disposing of Nero's mother [[roman::Aggripina]]. Inreality there was no way a three way affair between Otho, Nero and Poppaea could have lasted without someone being poisoned sooner rather than later. Therefore it is more likely that Nero took up with Poppaea slightly later than Nero. In any case Nero had Otho sent to [[place::Lusitania]] as governor so mthat he could pursue Poppaea without the nuisance of a histbad pooping up from time to time. In any case he seemed to take his poitiing to Lusitania with equanimity and ruled for ten years with a degree of good stewardship and justice. Nonetheless he fell behind Galba during his coup. Nero was out and given Galba's advanced age, believed he would be named successor in time. Disappointing, Galba named [[roman::Piso]] and he set about a plot to have Piso and Galba murdered. The plan came to fruition and he was procliamed emperor with a less than rousing acceptance. ''I shall be content with whatever ye think fit to leave me'' <ref>The Lives of the Twelve Caesars</ref>. Likewise he pretended to the senate that he had no thought of being proclaimed emperor by them but those upset by Nero's demise rallied to his side and he took over the role although with some genuine sorrow and maybe fear for the way he had taken power. | ||
However, Rome was still in a midst of a civil war and the proclaimation of Emperor by Otho held little sway with the armies in Germany who advanced their man, [[roman::Vitellius]] as the rightful emperor. Otho decided to grab the momentum and put a force together to meet the advancing troops. It is said that upon meeting Vitellius's troops he could have starved them into surrender over a protracted time but he dcided to engage instead before Vitellius could join them. Although it seemed he had a upper hand in the initial battles, the anti-Otho factions and deliberately put out a weakened army and drew them into a final battle Bedriacum which Otho lost. Otho seemed genuinely distressed by the civil war and committed suicide rather than put his considerable reserve army at Brixellum through another battle. Otho lasted as emperor just three months. | |||
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Revision as of 12:32, 20 May 2013
Galba
Galba - born 3BC and died AD69 was the first of the Four Emperor's to rule in AD69. However, his stint started 6 months earlier ion AD68 when the position of Emperor came his way by luck rather than design. He had supported Julius Vindex's revolt against Nero but cautiously reversing his support after his defeat and suicide. It was only after Nero's suicide and support from a few influential senators including Otho did he decide to march on Rome and take the laurel. He became unpopular ealy in his rule, levying taxes, failing to reward the army that got him to Rome, reducing the power of the senators and falling out with Otho, the latter believing that he rather the Piso should be considered the rightful heir. Otho then undertook a conspiracy to assassinate Galba.
Some say that Galba was taken a back when the soldiers approached him with their swords drawn. "What do you mean, fellow-soldiers? I am yours, and you are mine," [1]. Suetonius says that other writers relate that he was prepared for it. "Do your work, and strike, since you are resolved upon it."
For proof of the deed the one of the soldiers severed his head but finding he had no hair to carry him by, stuck the head up his vest and later carried him rather like a bowling ball with his fingers jammed in his mouth. Once Otho had done a positive id he gave the head to the slaves who stuck it on a spear and ran around the camp grounds with it.
Galba inclined to the male sex with a preference for men of his own age. It is said that upon learning that he had succeeded in being hailed Emperor he had sex with his man servant. A homosexual invert, he showed a decided preference for mature, sturdy men. It is said that when Icelus, one of his trusty bed-fellows, brought the news of Nero's death, Galba showered him with kisses and begged him to undress without delay; whereupon intimacy took place. [2]
Otho
Otho came to prominence during Caludius' reign when he discovered a plot to assassinate the emperor. Before that he had been riotous youth according to Suetonius and would catch drunkards and tie them in a blanket. But it was not until his fates intertwined with roman:Nero did he fame reach infamy. It was Otho who married the impossibly beautiful yet cunning Poppaea Sabina who was also desired by Nero. We know that Suetonius played around with the chronology of events to insinute that it was Poppaea who was the main protagonist for disposing of Nero's mother Aggripina. Inreality there was no way a three way affair between Otho, Nero and Poppaea could have lasted without someone being poisoned sooner rather than later. Therefore it is more likely that Nero took up with Poppaea slightly later than Nero. In any case Nero had Otho sent to Lusitania as governor so mthat he could pursue Poppaea without the nuisance of a histbad pooping up from time to time. In any case he seemed to take his poitiing to Lusitania with equanimity and ruled for ten years with a degree of good stewardship and justice. Nonetheless he fell behind Galba during his coup. Nero was out and given Galba's advanced age, believed he would be named successor in time. Disappointing, Galba named Piso and he set about a plot to have Piso and Galba murdered. The plan came to fruition and he was procliamed emperor with a less than rousing acceptance. I shall be content with whatever ye think fit to leave me [3]. Likewise he pretended to the senate that he had no thought of being proclaimed emperor by them but those upset by Nero's demise rallied to his side and he took over the role although with some genuine sorrow and maybe fear for the way he had taken power.
However, Rome was still in a midst of a civil war and the proclaimation of Emperor by Otho held little sway with the armies in Germany who advanced their man, Vitellius as the rightful emperor. Otho decided to grab the momentum and put a force together to meet the advancing troops. It is said that upon meeting Vitellius's troops he could have starved them into surrender over a protracted time but he dcided to engage instead before Vitellius could join them. Although it seemed he had a upper hand in the initial battles, the anti-Otho factions and deliberately put out a weakened army and drew them into a final battle Bedriacum which Otho lost. Otho seemed genuinely distressed by the civil war and committed suicide rather than put his considerable reserve army at Brixellum through another battle. Otho lasted as emperor just three months.
| Preceded by Nero Galba Otho Vitellius |
Emperor of Rome AD69 |
Succeeded by Galba Otho Vitellius Vaspasian |
