Otho was born into a family which had served as a consulate under Augustus. He married Poppea Sabina, but when the emperor Nero took Poppea for his mistress - she later became his wife - Otho was sent from Rome to rule Lusitania in 58 AD. For 10 years he ruled this province with integrity. Then, in 68 AD, Otho joined the rebellion against Nero led by Galba, governor of the neighboring province of Tarraconensis. He had hoped to be named Galba's successor, but when Galba disappointed him by adopting Lucius Piso Licinianus (January 69), Otho prepared to take power. Otho organized a conspiracy among the Praetorian Guard, which assassinated Galba at the Roman Forum. Otho was acclaimed emperor on January 15th. Otho "strike a pose"... But before Galba's death, the German legions had declared themselves for Aulus Vitellius, whose troops were already heading for Italy. Acting with speed and determination, Otho sent a naval expedition to Narbonensis (a region in southern Gaul), summoned the Danube legions, and himself marched on March 14. Although substantial forces joined Otho from Illyricum, by early April the Vitellian forces were far stronger. Experienced councelors have advised him to delay, but Otho insisted on action. His army was defeated at Bedriacum, about 22 miles east of Cremona, and Otho killed himself. He only ruled for 3 months... On the day of his crowning, please show me your Otho's coins ! Otho Rome RIC 12 Otho Antioch Syria
One of my favourites, for portrait & toning: And a fun book (historical novel, well researched with good characters and some humour):
OTHO and... It is also my Wife’s birthday... Roman Imperial Egypt, Alexandria. Otho. Jan. - Apr., CE 69. Billon AR Tetradrachm, 23mm, 11.9gms; Year 1; Egypt-Alexandria. Obv.:AVTOK MAΓ OΘΩNOΣ KAIΣ ΣEB; Laureate head right, L A in right field Rev: RΩ-MA; Helmeted, cuirassed bust of Roma right. Emmett 186 Ex: @John Anthony
Otho (69 A.D.) Egypt, Alexandria Billon Tetradrachm O: ΑΥΤΟΚ ΜΑΡΚ ΟΘΩΝΟΣ ΚΑΙΣ ΣΕΒ, laureate head right; L A (date) to right. R:ΡΩΜΗ, helmeted and cuirassed bust of Roma right, holding shield and spear. 13.4g 23mm Dattari (Savio) 330; K&G 18.9; RPC I 5362; Emmett 186.1 Published on Wildwinds! Otho (69 A.D.) Egypt, Alexandria Billon Tetradrachm O: AYTOK MAPK OΘΩNOΣ KAIΣ ΣEB, laureate head right, LA (year 1) lower right. R: EΛEY-ΘEPIA, Eleutheria (Liberty) standing left, wreath in extended right hand, scepter in left hand, leaning with left elbow on column, simpulum (ladle used for tasting and pouring sacrificial libations) left in lower left field. 12.58g 24.4mm Milne 359; RPC I 5354 (5 spec.); Dattari 327; BMC Alexandria p. 25, 208; Curtis 238; Kampmann 18.6; Emmett 184 Ex. Jyrki Muona Collection This variety with a simpulum on the reverse is much rarer than the same type without this control symbol. RPC reports only 5 specimens with the simpulum and 17 specimens without it. This variety is missing from the important collections in Cologne, Paris, and Milan, and we know of only one example offered at auction in the past two decades (CNG 76, 12 Sep 2007, lot 3152, VF, $430 plus fees). Published on Wildwinds!
Happy belated B'day @Otho........ and @Alegandron's wife My Otho denarius : Otho, Denarius - Rome mint, AD 69 IMP M OTHO CAESAR AVG TR P, Bare head of Otho right SECURITAS PR, Securitas standing left 3.50 gr Ref : RIC # 8, RCV #2162, Cohen #17 Q