The first of three generals to claim the short-lived title of Roman emperor during the chaotic year of 69 AD following the death of Nero.
Nero's disastrous reign and lifestyle had created great dissatisfaction among everyone, and the sentiments during his last few years was that having anyone else as emperor was a better option than Nero. Finally, in 68 AD, the Praetorian Guard revolted and, followed by the Senate, declared Galba to be emperor, and condemned Nero, who then killed himself.
Galba was already 71 years old in 68; a former general and consul, he was then serving as governor of the province of Hispania Tarraconensis. Historians think that his name was suggested because, at his age, he could, at best, represent a stop-gap solution to give everyone time to think of something better. Galba turned out to disappoint them far more quickly than they had expected. First he appointed an ambitious general, Vitellius to take charge of a German garrison whose general had been murdered, giving the latter a golden opportunity to plot against him. Secondly, as Galba marched on Rome, he was joined by another (just as ambitious as Vitellius) general, Otho, who had expected to be named successor. When Galba named another successor a few months later, Otho had him and the successor butchered. Galba turned out less than a stop-gap; his death ushered in a year of civil unrest as Rome came to see three emperors in a single year—69 AD, the year of the three emperors.
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