Otho
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- ANCIENT SOURCES: see Otho (sources)
- SCHOLARLY AND FICTIONAL WORKS: see Category: Otho (subject)
Marcus Salvius Otho (32 – 69 CE) was the second emperor in the Year of the Four Emperors.
Overview
Otho, the governor of Lusitania, succeeded to Galb as emperor in 69 CE during the Year of the Four Emperors.
Early Career
Marcus Salvius Otho was born in 32 CE. He belonged to an Etruscan family from Ferentinum. His paternal family owed its advancement and eventual promotion in the senatorial order to their ties with Livia, the wife of Augustus. Otho in his youth was part of the circle of nobles, which surrounded Nero. Otho married Poppaea Sabina and presented her to the emperor in 58 CE. Poppaea, once became the emperor’s mistress, decided to divorce Otho, who was sent as governor to the far away province of Lusitania till 68 CE. In that year Otho supported Galba, governor of the neighboring province of Hispania Tarraconensis in his bid for the Imperial throne, and followed him to Rome.
Imperial Succession
It seems that Otho hoped to be adopted by Galba, who was childless. He thus married the daughter of Titus Vinius, one of Galba’s favourites, to reinforce his position as possible heir. However [[Galba] adopted Piso. Otho, who felt betrayed in his expectations, had both Galba and Piso murdered, with the support of the praetorians, at the beginning of 69 CE. Soon afterwards he was proclaimed emperor by the Senate. One of the first acts of Otho was to clean up the memory of Nero, following the wishes of the plebs. However he soon had to face the revolt of Vitellius, governor of Germania Inferior, who was pushing his way to Italy with his army. Although Otho commanded the loyalty of the legions stationed in Dalmatia, Pannonia and Moesia, the pretorian cohorts, and the fleet, Vitellius’ armies, commanded by Aulus Caecina Alienus and by Fabius Valens soon penetrated in northern Italy and joined forces. The decisive clash with Otho’s army, was fought at the first battle of Bedriacum in 69 CE. Otho was defeated and committed suicide soon afterwards in the spring of 69 CE.