Otho

Born into Etruscan nobility on 28 April 32, Otho moved in Nero's inner circle until the emperor took his wife Poppaea Sabina, after which he was shipped to Lusitania as governor in 58. He governed moderately, bided his time, and in 68 threw in with Galba during the revolts that toppled Nero. On 15 January 69 he turned on Galba, had him murdered, and took the throne for himself. But Vitellius, commanding legions in Germania Inferior, was already marching. Their armies collided at Bedriacum; after 40,000 casualties and a retreat, Otho ended it on 16 April by suicide rather than drag the empire t…