---
title: Galba
author: Donald L. Wasson
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/Galba/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/)
updated: 2023-06-15
---
# Galba
_Authored by [Donald L. Wasson](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/DWasson/)_
Galba was [Roman emperor](https://www.worldhistory.org/Roman_Emperor/) from June 68 to January 69 CE. With the [death](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Death/) of Emperor [Nero](https://www.worldhistory.org/Nero/) on June 9, 68 CE, the [Julio-Claudian dynasty](https://www.worldhistory.org/collection/111/julio-claudian-dynasty/) officially ended, leaving the [Roman Empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/Roman_Empire/) without a clear successor to the throne. With the assistance of the army, Galba, governor-general of Spain, quickly rose to fill the void.
### Early Life
Servius Sulpicius Galba was born into an aristocratic family on December 24, 3 BCE to Gaius Sulpicius Galba and Mummia Achaica. An older brother, Gaius, (ten years his senior) would later commit suicide in 36 CE, due to “financial embarrassment,” after incurring the ire of Emperor [Tiberius](https://www.worldhistory.org/Tiberius/). While little in known of Galba's early years, historian [Suetonius](https://www.worldhistory.org/Suetonius/) in his *The Twelve Caesars* wrote that Emperor [Augustus](https://www.worldhistory.org/augustus/) singled Galba out of a group of young boys and said, “You too will taste a little of my glory, child,” suggesting that Galba would one day be emperor. The news did not seem to impact Tiberius, the eventual successor to Augustus, when he replied, “Very well, let him live in peace; the news does not concern me in the least.” Suetonius added that the future emperor was “a conscientious student of public affairs, and particularly skilled in [law](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/law/)…”
As for his appearance, he was completely bald (although coins of the era picture him with hair) and suffered a severe case of arthritis, crippling both his hands and feet – he was even unable to wear shoes. Galba's only marriage (considered little more than a formality – since he was thought to be homosexual) was to Semilia Lepides. After her death and those of his children, he refused to remarry, despite pressure to do so.
With the exception of Nero, the other Julio-Claudians —Augustus, Tiberius, [Caligula](https://www.worldhistory.org/Caligula/) and [Claudius](https://www.worldhistory.org/claudius/)— seemed to respect Galba, enabling him to hold a series of public offices. He rose rapidly through the ranks, eventually becoming governor of [Africa](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/africa/) (44 – 45 CE). Earlier in 40 CE, Emperor Caligula had appointed him commander of a legion in Upper Germany, something that endeared him to the young emperor but not to his men. Suetonius wrote, “In grueling manueuvres (sic) he toughened old campaigners as well as raw recruits and sharply checked a barbarian raid into [Gaul](https://www.worldhistory.org/gaul/).” Early on, he had earned a reputation for both cruelty and ruthlessness. Galba believed any sign of disobedience or disrespect to be completely unacceptable and, therefore, a challenge to his authority. His reputation and ability to command grew. Upon the death of Caligula, many even suggested that he assume the throne; but he refused — a gesture that earned the respect of Emperor Claudius. For this loyalty, Claudius appointed him pro-[consul](https://www.worldhistory.org/Consul/) of Africa with orders to suppress a series of disturbances and native revolts.
Galba abruptly dropped out of public service in 49 AD; supposedly he had rejected the advances of Claudius's wife and Nero's mother, [Agrippina the Younger](https://www.worldhistory.org/Agrippina_the_Younger/). He eventually returned to service in 60 CE at Nero's request when the governorship of Spain became available. He held the position for eight years, but as the empire began to crumble under the poor leadership of Nero, many of the provincial governors began to call for his ousting. Marcus Salvius [Otho](https://www.worldhistory.org/Otho/), governor of Lusitania, and Gaius [Julius](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Julius/) Vindex, one of the governors of Gaul, appealed to Galba to overthrow Nero. Suetonius wrote, “…messengers arrived from [Rome](https://www.worldhistory.org/Rome/) with the news that Nero, too, was dead, and that the citizens had all sworn obedience to himself (Galba), so he dropped the title of governor-general and assumed that of [Caesar](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/caesar/).” Galba was also motivated by rumors that Nero had wanted him assassinated.
[  Map of the Year of the Four Emperors, 69 CE Simeon Netchev (CC BY-NC-ND) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/17527/map-of-the-year-of-the-four-emperors-69-ce/ "Map of the Year of the Four Emperors, 69 CE")### Galba as Emperor
With the assistance of Otho (who had been exiled to Lusitania by Nero), Galba raised additional legions and marched into Rome, and with the news of Nero's death verified, assumed the throne. According to [Cassius Dio](https://www.worldhistory.org/Cassius_Dio/) in his *[Roman](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Roman/) History*, Nero was at a loss when he heard of Galba being declared emperor by his soldiers. He created a plan to kill all the senators, burn Rome, and flee to [Alexandria](https://www.worldhistory.org/alexandria/): “He was on the point of putting these measures into effect when the senate withdrew the guard that surrounded him and then, entering the camp, declared him an enemy and chose Galba in his place.”
Suetonius wrote that his assumption of the throne was not entirely popular: “His power and prestige were far greater while he was assuming control of the Empire than afterwards; though affording ample proof of his capacity to rule, he won less praise for his good acts than blame for his mistakes.” Mistakes? Suetonius added, “He sentenced men of all ranks to death without a trial or the scantiest of evidence… but the most virulent hatred of him smouldered in the army.” He demanded tribute from many of the towns he had conquered, keeping the money for himself. He also seized money from many of the people Nero had lavished; however, the recovered money was not spent on his troops — an act that alienated his own men. He no longer felt his hold on the throne was dependent upon them, so why should he bribe them. To the citizens of Rome, who had welcomed the death of Nero, he no longer spent money on lavish shows (i.e. gladiatorial games), considering them a waste of money. Rumors of unrest in many of the provinces, Germany for one, began to emerge.
### Death & Successor
Because he was in his early seventies and with his hold on the throne tenuous, Galba adopted Lucius Calpurnius Piso Licinianus as his son and heir, an act that angered his long-time supporter Otho, who had considered himself the rightful successor. With no alternative and the support of the military, Otho bribed the Praetorian Guards (they felt little loyalty of Galba) who murdered both Galba and Piso in the [Roman Forum](https://www.worldhistory.org/Roman_Forum/), bringing their severed heads to him. Otho was hailed as the new emperor in January 69 D. Galba had served less than seven months, becoming the first in a line of what would later become known as “the [year of the four emperors](https://www.worldhistory.org/Year_of_the_Four_Emperors/).”
#### Editorial Review
This human-authored definition has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/).
## Bibliography
- Caassius Dio. *Roman History.*
- Kerrigan, M. *A Dark History: The Roman Empeors.* Metro Books, 2011
- Morgan, G. *69 AD: The Year of the Four Emperors.* Oxford University Press, 2006
- Suetonius. *The Twelve Caesars.*
## About the Author
Donald has taught Ancient, Medieval and U.S. History at Lincoln College (Normal, Illinois)and has always been and will always be a student of history, ever since learning about Alexander the Great. He is eager to pass knowledge on to his students.
## Timeline
- **24 Dec 3 BCE**: Birth of Emperor [Galba](https://www.worldhistory.org/Galba/).
- **40 CE - 42 CE**: [Galba](https://www.worldhistory.org/Galba/) commands legion in Upper Germany.
- **44 CE - 45 CE**: [Galba](https://www.worldhistory.org/Galba/) is proconsul of [Africa](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/africa/).
- **49 CE**: [Galba](https://www.worldhistory.org/Galba/) withdraws from public service.
- **60 CE**: [Galba](https://www.worldhistory.org/Galba/) becomes governor-general of Spain.
- **8 Jun 68 CE - 15 Jan 69 CE**: Reign of [Roman Emperor](https://www.worldhistory.org/Roman_Emperor/) [Galba](https://www.worldhistory.org/Galba/).
- **9 Jun 68 CE**: [Death](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Death/) of [Nero](https://www.worldhistory.org/Nero/) and [Galba](https://www.worldhistory.org/Galba/) assumes throne.
- **15 Jan 69 CE**: Emperor [Galba](https://www.worldhistory.org/Galba/) is assassinated.
## External Links
- [List of Rulers of the Roman Empire | Lists of Rulers | Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History | The Metropolitan Museum of Art](https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/roru/hd_roru.htm)
## Cite This Work
### APA
Wasson, D. L. (2012, August 23). Galba. *World History Encyclopedia*.
### Chicago
Wasson, Donald L.. "Galba." *World History Encyclopedia*, August 23, 2012. .
### MLA
Wasson, Donald L.. "Galba." *World History Encyclopedia*, 23 Aug 2012, .
## License & Copyright
Submitted by [Donald L. Wasson](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/DWasson/ "User Page: Donald L. Wasson"), published on 23 August 2012. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/deed.en). This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon this content non-commercially, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.