Galba facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Galba |
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Bust in the Nationalmuseum of Sweden labelled as Galba. Perhaps a late Republican portrait.
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| Roman emperor | |||||||||
| Reign | 8 June 68 – 15 January 69 | ||||||||
| Predecessor | Nero | ||||||||
| Successor | Otho | ||||||||
| Born | 24 December 3 BC Near Terracina, Italy, Roman Empire |
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| Died | 15 January AD 69 (aged 70) Rome, Italy, Roman Empire |
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| Spouse | Aemilia Lepida | ||||||||
| Issue | Lucius Calpurnius Piso Frugi Licinianus (adopted) | ||||||||
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| Father | Gaius Sulpicius Galba | ||||||||
| Mother | Mummia Achaica Livia Ocellina (adoptive) |
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| Religion | Roman polytheism | ||||||||
Galba (born Servius Sulpicius Galba; 24 December 3 BC – 15 January AD 69) was the sixth Roman emperor. He ruled from AD 68 to 69. After being adopted by his stepmother, he was known as Livius Ocella Sulpicius Galba. He was the first emperor during a time called the Year of the Four Emperors. He became emperor after Emperor Nero died.
Galba came from a rich family. He held important jobs like praetor (a judge), consul (a top government official), and governor of different Roman provinces. These included Aquitania, Upper Germany, and Africa. He retired for a while but was later called back to govern Hispania (modern-day Spain). When a rebellion against Nero happened, and Nero died, Galba became emperor with the help of the Praetorian Guard (the emperor's special soldiers).
However, Galba's rule was short. He struggled to be popular with the people. He also lost the support of the Praetorian Guard. Because of this, he was murdered by order of Otho, who then became the next emperor.
Contents
Galba's Family and Early Life
Galba was not related to the famous Julio-Claudian dynasty of emperors. But he came from a respected noble family called the Sulpicii. The name Galba might have come from a Roman word for Gauls or an insect. Many of his ancestors, including his father and brother, held the important position of consul.
Galba's grandfather was a historian. His father was a lawyer. Galba was born near Terracina, Italy, on December 24, 3 BC. His elder brother died young. Galba's father later married Livia Ocellina, who adopted Galba. He then took the name Lucius Livius Galba Ocella.
Galba married a woman named Aemilia Lepida. They had two sons. Sadly, Aemilia and their sons died early in the reign of Emperor Claudius. Galba never married again after that.
Galba's Career in Public Service
Galba started his public career around AD 30 as a praetor. Then he became governor of Aquitania for about a year. In AD 33, he became a consul.
In AD 39, Emperor Caligula discovered a plot against him. Galba was then put in charge of the legions in Upper Germany. He became known as a strict leader. Some stories say he was asked to become emperor after Caligula was killed in AD 41. But Galba stayed loyal to Caligula's uncle and successor, Emperor Claudius.
Galba was later appointed governor of Africa around AD 44 or 45. He retired during Claudius's reign. But Emperor Nero called him back in AD 59 or 60 to govern Hispania.
Becoming Emperor in AD 68
In AD 68, a rebellion against Emperor Nero began in Gaul. It was led by Gaius Julius Vindex. Soon after, Galba also rebelled against Nero. He refused the title "General of Caesar." Instead, he called himself "General of The Senate and People of Rome."
On June 8, a false announcement was made to the Praetorian Guard that Nero had fled. The Roman Senate then declared Galba emperor. Nero soon died.
Galba's Short Rule as Emperor
When Galba became emperor, he faced challenges. One official, Nymphidius Sabinus, wanted to be emperor himself. But Sabinus was killed by the Praetorian Guard. As Galba traveled to Rome, his army was attacked by soldiers loyal to Nero. Some of Galba's troops were killed.
Galba was advised by a group that included the general Titus Vinius, the praetorian prefect Cornelius Laco, and his freedman Icelus. Galba made some unpopular decisions. He took property from Roman citizens. He also did not pay the Praetorian Guard and other soldiers who had helped him. This made many people unhappy.
Historians like Suetonius described Galba as being very careful with money, sometimes too much so. He was also seen as harsh. He punished cities that had not immediately supported him. He also disbanded a group of German soldiers who had served previous emperors loyally.
Galba was of average height. He was bald with blue eyes and a hooked nose. He suffered from gout, which affected his hands and feet.
Mutiny and Assassination
On January 1, AD 69, some legions in Upper Germany refused to swear loyalty to Galba. They pulled down his statues and demanded a new emperor. The next day, soldiers in Lower Germany also rebelled. They declared their governor, Aulus Vitellius, as emperor.
Galba tried to strengthen his position by adopting a nobleman named Lucius Calpurnius Piso Licinianus as his successor. However, this angered Otho, who had hoped to be adopted. Otho then planned with some Praetorian Guards to murder Galba.
The soldiers in Rome were also angry because they had not received a special payment (a donative) from Galba. Many were also upset about Galba removing some of their officers.
On January 15, Galba was lured into the Roman Forum by a false report. He was killed by the Praetorians. A centurion named Sempronius Densus tried to defend Galba but was also killed. A group of German soldiers who wanted to help Galba arrived too late. Galba was killed near the Lacus Curtius. His advisors, Vinius, Laco, and Icelus, were also killed. Piso, his adopted son, was murdered as well.
Galba's reign lasted only seven months.
Images for kids
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Bust of Galba
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Gold coin (aureus) of Galba
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Obverse portrait of Galba on a coin
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Damaged head of a crowned Galba
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See also
In Spanish: Galba para niños
