In the winter of 67, 68, Gaius Julius Vindex, legate of Gallia Lugdunensis, looked for support among other governors to start a revolt against Nero. Aware of his relatively humble origins, Vindex did not covet the Empire for himself. He forwarded letters to Servius Sulpicius Galba, governor of Hispania Tarraconensis, who was the only man that had not denounced him to Nero. In mid-March 68, Vindex proceeded with his plan and raised an army composed of Gallic warriors. This force cut short his attempts to win over officers of the seven legions posted on the Rhine. The soldiers would not accept fighting alongside Gauls.
Vindex turned to Galba, the only man who had not denounced him to Nero. In early April 68, Galba accepted Vindex's proposition and was acclaimed emperor in Carthago Nova. He rapidly received support from officials of Baetica and Lusitania. These provinces provided him with money to raise the VII Galbiana, a second legion. Meanwhile, Lucius Verginius Rufus, governor of Germania Superior, marched on Vindex. He besieged Vesontio, capital of the Sequani tribe. Before Vesontio, Verginius and Vindex agreed to unite their forces against Nero. Verginius' legions ignored the agreement and charged the unprepared troops of Vindex. Up to 20,000 died while Vindex committed suicide.
In Rome, Nymphidius Sabinus, deputy prefect of the Praetorian Guard, convinced his men to abandon Nero. He promised each soldier 30,000 sesterces, equivalent to 10 years of wages. On the 9th of June 68, the Senate declared Nero enemy of the state and proclaimed Galba emperor. This prompted Nero's suicide.
Galba's Failed Consolidation Of Power
During the first half of October, Galba finally completed his journey to Rome. Tacitus described this as "a long and bloody march" due to the officials he had murdered on his way. The massacre occurred on the Milvian Bridge just before the city. When Galba arrived at Rome, the new legionaries pressed him to confirm their status. He ordered his troops to charge them, killing thousands. After they submitted to a decimation, morale severely lowered. Galba also refused to pay the Praetorians money promised by Nymphidius for overthrowing Nero.
Galba continued the practice set by Nero of appointing ineffectual men to important posts. He sent old and disabled Hordeonius Flaccus to Germania Superior. Aulus Vitellius went to Germania Inferior, known mostly as a penniless glutton. In Rome, Galba considered with contempt anybody who had served under Nero. He only trusted three men from Spain: Titus Vinius, Cornelius Laco, and Icelus. These men had amassed money as Nero's protegés had, triggering popular resentment against the new emperor.
At the beginning of the civil year of 69 on the 1st of January, legions of Germania Inferior refused to swear allegiance to Galba. On the following day, legions acclaimed their governor Vitellius as emperor. Hearing news of loss of Rhine legions, Galba panicked. He adopted young senator Lucius Calpurnius Piso Licinianus as successor. By doing so he offended many, above all Marcus Salvius Otho. Otho bribed the Praetorian Guard, already very unhappy with emperor.