The Lives of the Caesars · Chapter
Book VII: Galba—Otho—Vitellius explained
This chapter covers the reigns of Galba, Otho, and Vitellius during the tumultuous Year of the Four Emperors.
What happens
This chapter covers the reigns of Galba, Otho, and Vitellius during the tumultuous Year of the Four Emperors. It details Galba's early life, omens of his rise, his strict governance, and his unpopularity due to cruelty and avarice. It then describes Otho's brief rule and Vitellius's rise, focusing on his luxury, cruelty, and disastrous reign.
Themes in this chapter
Political Intrigue and Violence
The chapter details the plotting against Galba by Nymphidius Sabinus, Fonteius Capito, and Clodius Macer, as well as Vitellius's treacherous murders of rivals and associates.
Character and Morality of Rulers
Galba's reputation for cruelty and avarice is contrasted with his earlier popularity. Vitellius's boundless appetite and delight in torture highlight his moral depravity.
Omens, Prophecy, and Divine Favor
Omens surrounding Galba's rise include Augustus's prophecy, the eagle carrying intestines to an oak, the foaling of a mule, and a dream of Fortune. These are interpreted as signs of his destined but delayed rule.
Public Image and Propaganda
Galba's strictness and unpopularity are reflected in the soldiers' verse and the theater crowd's chant. Vitellius's public display of devotion to Nero serves as propaganda for his own rule.
Characters to notice
- Galba
Emperor Servius Galba, born in the consulship of Marcus Valerius Messala and Gnaeus Lentulus. Adopted by his stepmother Livia, he took her name and the surname Ocella. He showed respect to Livia Augusta and began his career before the legal age.
- Otho
Salvius Otho, father of the emperor Otho, succeeded Galba in a consulship, an omen of later events.
- Vitellius
Aulus Vitellius, known for his luxury and cruelty. He divided his feasts into three or four a day, delighted in inflicting death and torture, and was under the control of his freedman Asiaticus.
- Tiberius
Tiberius, when he heard that Galba was destined to be emperor but in his old age, said: 'Well, let him live then, since that does not concern me.' He reduced Livia's bequest to Galba from fifty million sesterces to five hundred thousand.
- Livia Drusilla
Livia Augusta, to whose favour Galba owed great influence. She left him the largest bequest among her legatees, fifty million sesterces, but Tiberius reduced it.
- Nero
Nero's father, Lucius Domitius, was succeeded by Galba in a consulship. Vitellius made funerary offerings to Nero and openly urged a flute-player to render something from Nero's book.
- Nymphidius Sabinus
Nymphidius Sabinus, prefect of the praetorian guard at Rome, was among those plotting against Galba.
- Icelus
Galba's freedman Icelus, who received the honour of the gold ring and the surname Marcianus, and aspired to the highest office open to the equestrian order.
Key passages
“Thou too, child, wilt have a nibble at this power of mine.”
You too, boy, will have a taste of my authority.
Augustus's prophecy to the young Galba, foretelling his future as emperor.
“Very likely, when a mule has a foal.”
That will happen when a mule gives birth.
Galba's grandfather's skeptical response to the omen of the eagle, later fulfilled when a mule foaled during Galba's revolt.
“Soldier, learn to play the soldier; 'tis Galba, not Gaetulicus.”
Soldier, learn to be a soldier; it's Galba, not Gaetulicus.
A verse circulated in the camp after Galba's strict order to keep hands under cloaks, contrasting his discipline with his predecessor's leniency.
“Here comes Onesimus from his farm”
Here comes Onesimus from his country estate
The Atellan farce line that the crowd chanted to mock Galba's arrival, indicating his unpopularity.
