Galba in Roman Biography

highly praised by Cicero. Galba, (Servius Sulpicius,) a Roman emperor, born in 3 or 4 B.C., of a noble family. He was consul under Tiberius in 33 A.D., and in the reign of Caligula commanded the army in Germany, where he acquired reputation for military skill. Claudius, having succeeded to the throne, appointed Galba Governor of Africa, in which post he obtained successes. He commanded an army in Spain at the death of Nero, 68 a.d. He was then proclaimed emperor by his own troops and the Praetorian guards, whose choice was confirmed by the senate. But he speedily lost the popular favour by his severity, parsimony, and impolitic measures. The army declared for Otho, and Galba was slain, after a reign of seven months, in 69 a.d. According to Tacitus, he would have been universally considered worthy to reign if he had never been emperor. See Plutarch, "Life of Galba;" Suetonius, "Galba;" Tacitus, "Annates;" Niebuhr, "History of Rome;" Franz Horn, "Historische Gemalde: Galba, Cftho und Vitellius," 1812.