Lot 1211
Otho. Silver Denarius (2.99 g), AD 69. Rome. [IMP OTHO] CAESAR AVG TR P, bare head of Otho right. Rev. PONT MAX, Ceres standing facing, head left, holding grain ears and cornucopiae. (cf. RIC p. 261, note; BN 25; BMC 9; RSC 11). Fine portrait. Well struck with toning over residual luster. Extremely fine. Estimate $3,400UP
Otho, of Etrurian stock, had been one of the most reckless and miscreant nobles in Nero's court. In AD 58, Otho's wife, the beautiful Poppaea Sabina, began a secret affair with the emperor and soon divorced Otho. At her instence, Nero sent Otho far away, making him governor of the remote province of Lusitania. He remained there as governor for the next ten years, and Suetonius records his rule there as one of well-administered moderation.
In AD 68, Galba, the governor of the neighboring province of Hispania Tarraconensis, revolted against Nero, and Otho joined him in his march on Rome. Otho perhaps thought that by his support he would be named as successor by the aged and childless Galba if Galba were successful in overthrowing Nero, but in this he was to be disappointed. Once Galba had become emperor, he formerly adopted Lucius Calpurnius Piso Licinianus as his heir. With his hopes of peaceful succession now dashed, Otho boldly approached the Praetorian camp and bribed a few guardsmen, who were already aggrieved by Galba's refusal to pay the promised money for their support in his overthrow of Nero. They quickly found the emperor, who was making his way to the camp because of rumors of treachery, and brutally murdered him and Piso. They then declared for Otho, the Senate affirming the decision shortly afterward.
Despite his reckless youth, Otho's short reign showed signs of equitable administration, emulating his former career in Lusitania. However, he never enjoyed the opportunity of fully establishing this benevolent rule for as soon as he was in power he faced the formidable revolt of Vitellius and the Rhine legions. While at first he showed remarkable energy in mustering an opposition to the revolt, after his forces were soundly defeated at the Battle of Bedriacum he committed suicide, preferring to spare his soldiers and the empire further bloodshed.
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