# Otho — The Lives of the Caesars character guide

> Otho in The Lives of the Caesars by Suetonius.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Salvius Otho, Marcus Salvius Otho, Marcus, Accordingly Otho

**First appearance:** 0008-otho

## Snapshot

A brief emperor who seized Rome after Galba, only to face Vitellius's legions and choose suicide over surrender.

## Who they are

Otho enters the narrative as one of the four emperors scrambling for power in the chaotic year after Nero, a man whose ambition outpaces his military position. His reign is defined by a desperate gamble: he stakes everything on a single battle against Vitellius's forces, and when it fails, he takes his own life rather than prolong civil bloodshed. His brief, fatal dignity stands in sharp contrast to the greed and excess of his rival, making his chapter a study in how quickly imperial fortune can turn.

## Relationships

### [Augustus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lives_of_the_caesars_se/characters/augustus)

_professional_

Otho was a courtier and companion of Augustus, though their relationship was more that of a favored subordinate than a close friend.

### [Galba](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lives_of_the_caesars_se/characters/galba)

_rivalry_

Otho initially supported Galba as emperor but turned against him and orchestrated his assassination when Galba adopted a rival heir.

### [Tiberius](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lives_of_the_caesars_se/characters/tiberius)

_professional_

Otho served as a courtier under Tiberius, but their relationship was distant and formal, with Otho later rebelling against Tiberius's successor.

### [Claudius](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lives_of_the_caesars_se/characters/claudius)

_professional_

Otho was a friend and courtier of Claudius, but their relationship was superficial, and Otho later betrayed Claudius's family.

### [Augustus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lives_of_the_caesars_se/characters/augustus)

_professional_

Otho was a courtier and companion of Augustus, though their relationship was more that of a favored subordinate than a close friend.

## In the story

### [Book VII: Galba—Otho—Vitellius](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lives_of_the_caesars_se/chapters/book-vii-galba-otho-vitellius)

Salvius Otho, father of the emperor Otho, succeeded Galba in a consulship, an omen of later events.

### [Galba](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lives_of_the_caesars_se/chapters/galba)

Otho succeeded Galba after his assassination, and his father had been Galba's successor in a consulship, seen as an omen.

### [Otho](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lives_of_the_caesars_se/chapters/otho)

Protagonist of the chapter; his ancestry, youth, rise under Nero, governorship of Lusitania, conspiracy against Galba, brief reign, and suicide are recounted.

### [Vitellius](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lives_of_the_caesars_se/chapters/vitellius)

His forces were defeated by Vitellius's lieutenants; Vitellius later punished those who had asked Otho for rewards for killing Galba.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lives_of_the_caesars_se/characters/otho
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lives_of_the_caesars_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lives_of_the_caesars_se/characters