Roman emperor, successor, after Galba, of Nero, b. in Rome, of
an ancient Etruscan family settled at Ferentinum, 28 April, A.D.
32; d. at Brixellum on the Po, 15 April, 69. He led a profligate
life at the court of Nero. As husband of the courtesan Poppæa
Sabina he was sent for appearance's sake to Lusitania as
governor. When Sulpicius Galba was proclaimed emperor, Otho
returned to Rome with him. In contrast to the miserly Galba, he
sought to win the affection of the troops by generosity. On 15
January, 69, five days after Galba had appointed Lucius
Calpurnius Piso co-emperor and successor, twenty-three soldiers
proclaimed Otho emperor upon the open street. As Galba hurried
to take measures against this procedure, he and his escort
encountered his opponents at the Forum; there was a struggle,
and Galba was murdered. Otho was now sole ruler; the senate
confirmed his authority. The statues of Nero were again set up
by Otho who also set aside an immense sum of money for the
completion of Nero's Golden House (Aure