Otho

Marcus Salvius Otho, commonly known as Otho, was a Roman emperor who reigned for a brief period in AD 69, during a turbulent era known as the Year of the Four Emperors. Born on April 28, 32 AD, Otho came from a prominent family and was initially a friend and supporter of the infamous Emperor Nero. Known for his charm and lavish lifestyle, Otho quickly rose through the social ranks, though his personal ambitions and relationship with Nero would eventually bring him to power, albeit briefly.

Otho’s path to the throne was marked by a series of complex and strategic moves. Initially, he served as governor of Lusitania (modern-day Portugal) and maintained loyalty to Nero. However, after Nero's death in AD 68, Otho aligned himself with Galba, who succeeded Nero as emperor. Despite his initial loyalty, Otho became dissatisfied with Galba’s reign. Galba's unpopular decisions and favoritism, along with his refusal to name Otho as his successor, led to widespread discontent. Seeing an opportunity, Otho conspired with the Praetorian Guard to overthrow Galba, and on January 15, AD 69, Galba was assassinated, allowing Otho to claim the throne.

Otho’s reign, however, lasted only three months. Shortly after he assumed power, he faced a challenge from Vitellius, another powerful general who was proclaimed emperor by his own legions in Germania. Recognizing the threat, Otho gathered his forces and met Vitellius’s army in battle at Bedriacum. Despite initial success, Otho’s forces were ultimately defeated, and rather than plunging Rome into prolonged civil war, he chose to commit suicide on April 16, AD 69, a decision that earned him respect among some contemporaries.

Otho’s brief reign was significant in Rome’s chaotic Year of the Four Emperors, underscoring the volatility and political instability that followed the fall of the Julio-Claudian dynasty. Although he ruled for only a few months, Otho’s legacy is remembered for his willingness to sacrifice his life in the hope of preserving peace in Rome.

Otho's coins are expensive because they are fairly scarce, which is not surprising since he ruled for only a few months. A premium is usually placed on the sharpness of Otho's hair, possibly because Suetonius writes that Otho shaved his head and wore a wig in place of his natural hair. The present example does not have fully struck hair. Instead, this denarius has an exceptionally fine portrait style compared to the harsh and rectangular portrait found on most of Otho's coinage. The PONT MAX legend on the reverse allows us some precision in dating this coin, as the title of Pontifex Maximus was conferred to Otho on March 9th of 69 AD.