Otho, Marcus Salvius

Otho, Marcus Salvius ō´thō [key], AD 32–AD 69, Roman emperor (Jan.–April, AD 69). He was a friend of Nero, and his wife, Poppaea Sabina, became Nero's mistress; Otho was repaid (AD 58) with the province of Lusitania. In AD 68 he joined the revolt of Galba against Nero, but on Galba's accession Otho formed a conspiracy. Galba was killed, and Otho made himself emperor. Meanwhile Vitellius had been proclaimed emperor at Cologne and was on his way to Rome. Otho was defeated in N Italy and killed himself.

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