[January 15] Galba, emperor of Rome

True Name: Servius Sulpicius Galba
Parents: Servius Sulpicius Galba and Mummia Achaica

Date of Birth: 24 December 3 B.C.E.

Royal House: Galba

Spouse: Aemilia Lepida

Reign: 68 – 69
Predecessor: Nero

Summary: Galba rose to power through the wealthy influence of his adopted mother, Livia Ocelina, and through his wife, a relation of the Julio-Claudian dynasty. He was a praetor, consul and governor prior to the start of his reign in 68. When Nero died, Galba assumed the title of caesar and marched on Rome. The Praetorian Guard attempted to negotiate conditions for his recognition but he had the leaders killed.

As emperor, Galba was cruel. He wished to improve the taxes of Rome and did so by taxing highest those least loyal to him. He ceased the practice (very temporarily) of bribing soldiers for loyalty. The Guard, however, was the single strongest element of the Roman Empire and felt otherwise. One-by-one they began rebelling, demanding that a new emperor be elected. Galba froze and appointed his heir, signaling his fear that his hold on power was ending. When Otho, an early supporter of Galba, was denied the place of heir, he too rebelled. A troop of cavalry loyal to Otho tracked down and killed Galba. 120 men claimed credit for the kill, and later that year, all 120 would be executed by Otho's successor, Vitellius, who felt Galba was killed unjustly.

Date of Death: 15 January 69 C.E.

Successor: Otho


Other Monarchs Who Died Today:

• Raoul, king of the West Franks (936)
• Murat III, sultan of the Ottoman Empire (1595)
• Moshoeshoe II, paramount chief of Lesotho (1996)
• Jaber al-Ahmad Al-Jaber al-Sabah, emir of Kuwait (2006)