Otho: the story on HearLore

Otho

Marcus Salvius Otho entered the world on the 28th of April AD 32. His grandfather Marcus had served as a senator before him. Claudius granted patrician status to Otho's father Lucius Salvius Otho. Suetonius described his appearance and personal hygiene in The Lives of the Caesars. Juvenal wrote about Otho in Satire II, calling him vain and effeminate. He looked at himself in the mirror before going into battle. He plastered his face with dough to look good for war. An aged freedwoman brought him into the company of emperor Nero. Otho married the emperor's mistress Poppaea Sabina. Nero forced Otho to divorce her so he could marry her instead.

Exile To Lusitania

Nero exiled Otho to the province of Lusitania in 58 or 59. He appointed Otho governor of that remote region. Otho proved capable as governor of Lusitania yet never forgave Nero. He allied himself with Galba during the rebellion against Nero in 68. Galba was governor of neighboring Hispania Tarraconensis. Nero committed suicide later that year. Galba was proclaimed emperor by the Senate. Otho accompanied the new emperor to Rome in October 68. Before they entered the city, Galba's army fought against a legion Nero had organized. The conflict began when Vitellius's forces crossed the Alps into northern Italy.

Murder Of Galba

On the 1st of January 69, Galba took office alongside Titus Vinius. The fourth and first Germanica legions refused loyalty to the emperor. They toppled statues of Galba and demanded a new choice. Soldiers of Germania inferior also refused to swear their loyalty. They proclaimed Aulus Vitellius as emperor on the following day. Galba tried to ensure his authority by adopting Piso Licinianus as successor. This action gained resentment from Otho. Galba was killed by praetorians on the 15th of January. Vinius and Piso died shortly after them. Their heads were placed on poles. Otho was proclaimed emperor immediately after. Nero's statues were set up again. His freedmen and household officers reinstalled including Sporus. Otho lived intimately with Sporus though he disliked the title Nero Otho.

When was Marcus Salvius Otho born?

Marcus Salvius Otho entered the world on the 28th of April AD 32. His grandfather Marcus had served as a senator before him.

Why did Nero exile Otho to Lusitania in 58 or 59?

Nero exiled Otho to the province of Lusitania in 58 or 59 after forcing him to divorce his mistress Poppaea Sabina so that Nero could marry her instead. Otho proved capable as governor yet never forgave Nero for this treatment.

How long did Otho reign as Roman emperor during the Year of Four Emperors?

Otho reigned three months total from January 69 until his death on the 16th of April 69 AD. His 91-day reign was shortest until Pertinax ruled 87 days in 193.

What happened at the Battle of Bedriacum on the 14th of April 69 AD?

The decisive engagement occurred at the Battle of Bedriacum on the 14th of April 69 AD approximately 35 kilometers from Cremona. The battle resulted in a decisive defeat for Otho's forces when Praetorian Guard fled before engaging in close combat.

Who wrote about Marcus Salvius Otho in ancient literature and what did they say?

Suetonius described his appearance and personal hygiene in The Lives of the Caesars while Juvenal called him vain and effeminate in Satire II. Roman poet Martial expressed admiration during Domitian's reign AD 81, 96 for choice to spare empire from civil war through sacrificing himself.

Otho

Exile To Lusitania

Murder Of Galba

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Common questions

When was Marcus Salvius Otho born?

Why did Nero exile Otho to Lusitania in 58 or 59?

How long did Otho reign as Roman emperor during the Year of Four Emperors?

What happened at the Battle of Bedriacum on the 14th of April 69 AD?

Who wrote about Marcus Salvius Otho in ancient literature and what did they say?

Battle Of Bedriacum

Suicide And Short Reign

Operatic Portrayals

Modern Cultural Appearances