Early Life:
- Servius Sulpicius Galba was born on 24th December 3 AD in Tarraco, Hispania Citerior, to a wealthy and noble family originating from Rome.
-His father, Gaius Sulpicius Galba was governor of the Roman Africa Province while his mother was Mummia Achaica, sister of Lucius Calpurnius Piso.
His rise in power
- In his adolescence, Servius studied in Rome along with other future emperors Otho and Tiberius. At age twenty (23AD), Galba served as an augur for life.
Following Galba's military service throughout Italy , Hispania(modern Spain) and Gallia(modern France and Belgium), the emperor Tiberius chose him for the consulship of the year 33 A.D.
- Galba then served two years a governor of upper Germany beginning (37A.D - 39 AD. He distinguished himself through a victory over rebellious Gauls who attempted to overthrow Roman forces during this period. It earned him the confidence of the emperor Caligula and made him famous among senators in Rome.
Later career
- Galba continued succeeding in prominent leadership in various provinces within the Roman Empire:
a consul designate of 46AD, governor of Africa Province(Africa Proconsularis) in 45 to 46 AD as well as protosul in Achaia Greece and Achaia(49 - 52AD). It was under the emperor Nero his relationship deteriorated due to Nero perceived threats as well political rivalry. He retired from a public duty at his country estate in Spain.
Emperor: Year of Four Emperor(68 - 69 AD)
- In 68AD as Nero's popularity fell rapidly from several failures, rebellions , and plots, Galba's prominence made him an ideal alternative in the eyes of Roman senators and other influential citizens , especially the governors (Legates) of three out of four Roman imperial legions based near the Rhine -Gaius Julius Vindex of Gallia Lugdunensis , Marcus Salvius Otho governor of Hispania Tarraconensis and Lucius Verginius Rufus of Germania Superior as well as some provincial administrators like Gnaeus Julius Agricola. As Nero committed after plotting against Julius Vindex.
In his 73, Galba reluctantly accepted the title "Legatus of the Senate and People( Legatus Senatus Populique Romani), marking the beginning of civil war, and the so-called Year of the Four Emperors. Galba proceeded through Hispania where the two other future contenders and former governors for imperial throne, were located Verginius Rufus had a considerably stronger force that Galba's Otho was able to join Galba by promising not only recognition in Galba's administration but the hand of Galba's young adopted son and proclaimed successor Lucius Calpurnius Piso Licinianus in marriage after Galba became the Emperor. On 8th June. Verginius' armies clashed with the Vindex' s near Vesontio(Besancon ), but after the death of Vindex himself, Rufus' legions pledged allegiances to Galba instead of pursuing the conflict , effectively sealing fate with Galba the sole imperial candidate and emperor as Nero committed after plotting against Verginius Rufus' legions and their refusal to march to support. He was recognized across most territory of imperial control, except North Africa.
Assassination and legacy:
While Galba reached Rome in October with Otho at his side with plans of military discipline as well economic and political reforms on 15th January after only seven months his rule faced rebellion when two Praetorian guards killed him in the streets while being on route, the palatine Hill from the Palatium where he spent night, to pay respect , as a part of Roman ceremony, to the Forum, to officially begin his year's consular duties that commenced that day. The Praetorians under Otho's influence instead, declared Otho as the new reigning emperor by bribing or coercing other army detachments to support their candidate against Piso by presenting the claim in Senate the very same hour when Galba was assassinated.