GALBA

From Agepedia

GALBA, Sergius, or Servius Sulpicius; successor of Nero, born B. C. 4, of the ancient and celebrated family of the Sul picii. He was made pretor before he had reached the lawful age, then governor of Aquitania, and, a year after, consul. Caligula appointed him general in Germany. He soon repulsed the Germans who had invaded Gaul, and restored the ancient military discipline. After the death of Caligula, he caused his troops to swear allegiance to Claudius, who received him, for this service, among his most confidential friends, and sent hun, as proconsul, to Africa, where great confusion prevailed.' In two years, Galba restored order, obtained the honors of a triumph, and was received among the priests of Augustus. He lived afterwards in retirement till the middle of Nero's reign, that he might avoid exciting suspicion. Nero appointed him governor of Hispania Tarraconensis; but soon after became so exasperated against him, that he ordered him to be secretly assassinated. Galba then revolted against the emperor, but became involved in great difficulties, when news arrived of the death of Nero (A. D. 68); and he himself was chosen emperor by the pretorian cohorts in Rome. Ambassadors from the senate made known to him his elevation. He went directly to Rome, and caused several insurgents to be executed. By this act, as well as by his indulgence to his friends, whom he suffered to rule him absolutely, and by his excessive avarice, he excited universal displeasure. Scarcely had he entered upon his second consulship, when the legions in Upper Germany revolted against him. This induced him to choose a colleague in the government, under the name of an adopted son. Instead of Otho, who was favored by the soldiery, he selected Piso Licinianus, who was hated by them on account of his rigid virtue. Otho, offended by this neglect, resolved to get possession of the throne by force of arms. The pretorian cohorts first declared themselves in his favor, and Galba, attempting in vain to restore order, was attacked and slain A. D. 69. He was 72 years old, and had reigned three months.