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54-473: Like other Roman gentes, the Servilii of course had their own sacra ; and they are said to have worshipped a triens , or copper coin, which is reported to have increased or diminished in size at various times, thus indicating the increase or diminution of the honors of the gens. Although the Servilii were originally patricians, in the later Republic there were also plebeian Servilii. According to tradition,

108-780: A certain Quintus Servilius Geminus, who was frequently mistaken for his brother, Publius, the consul of 252 BC. The Servilii Vatiae ("cross-legged") seem to be descended from the Gemini. This family tree depicts the Servilii Caepiones, Gemini, and Vatiae, from the third century BC to their known descendants in imperial times, extending down to the family of the emperor Galba . The chart is based on one by Friedrich Münzer . Sacra (ancient Rome) In ancient Roman religion , sacra (Latin, neuter plural, "sacred [matters]") were transactions relating to

162-423: A cohort of Germans, whom the previous Caesars had made their body-guard and had found absolutely faithful in many emergencies, and sent them back to their native country without any rewards, alleging that they were more favourably inclined towards Gnaeus Dolabella, near whose gardens they had their camp. The following tales too were told in mockery of him, whether truly or falsely: that when an unusually elegant dinner

216-449: A hooked nose. His hands and feet were so distorted by gout that he could not endure a shoe for long, unroll a book, or even hold one. The flesh on his right side too had grown out and hung down to such an extent, that it could with difficulty be held in place by a bandage. It is said that he was a heavy eater and in winter time was in the habit of taking food even before daylight, while at dinner he helped himself so lavishly that he would have

270-421: A household protector, was housed in a shrine along with the penates and favorite gods or goddesses. In the homes of the lower class, the shrines were set in wall-niches with a basic painted background, whereas the upper class, built their shrines in the servants quarters. This kept the focus on religion instead of making it a public showing. The sacra publica were undertaken pro populo, i.e., collectively, (1) by

324-463: A linen corset although remarking it was little protection against so many swords; when a soldier claimed to have killed Otho, Galba snapped "On what authority?". He was lured out to the scene of his assassination in the Forum by a false report of the conspirators. Galba either tried to buy his life with a promise of the withheld bounty or asked that he be beheaded. The only help for him was a centurion in

378-614: A pig was sacrificed. Proper ceremonies accompanied all family occasions from birth to death, even when the gods were no longer popular. The gens of families had special rites, sacra. It must be maintained for the welfare of the clan and State. If not, it was believed that gods will become displeased with the pater familias . In return, their supposed underworld relatives, the malicious and vagrant Lemures , might be placated with midnight offerings of black beans and spring water. For home sacrifices , citizens would usually use foods instead of animals because they were less messy. However, it

432-424: A prince chosen by the people and of his time of life. He condemned to death distinguished men of both orders on trivial suspicions without a trial. He rarely granted Roman citizenship, and the privileges of threefold paternity to hardly one or two, and even to those only for a fixed and limited time. When the jurors petitioned that a sixth division be added to their number, he not only refused, but even deprived them of

486-412: A wing. A popular legend related that the name was first given to Gaius Servilius , magister equitum in 439 BC, because he hid the knife with which he slew Spurius Maelius in his armpit (also ala ). However, this does not appear to be the case, since the name had been in use by the family for at least a generation before that event. The surnames Caepio and Geminus appear almost simultaneously in

540-416: A woman named Aemilia Lepida and had two sons. Aemilia and their sons died during the early years of the reign of Claudius (r. 41–54). Galba would remain a widower for the rest of his life. Galba became praetor in about 30, then governor of Aquitania for about a year, then consul in 33. In 39 the emperor Caligula learned of a plot against himself in which Gnaeus Cornelius Lentulus Gaetulicus ,

594-611: The Praetorian Guard named Sempronius Densus , who was killed trying to defend Galba with a pugio ; one hundred and twenty persons later petitioned Otho that they had killed Galba; they would be executed by Vitellius. A company of Germanic soldiers to whom he had once done a kindness rushed to help him; however they took a wrong turn and arrived too late. He was killed near the Lacus Curtius . Vinius tried to run away, calling out that Otho had not ordered him killed, but

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648-425: The pontiffs and wished that they should be continued after his death, his heirs inherited with his property the obligation to perform them, and the pontiffs had to watch that they were performed duly and at their proper time. Even though Sacra could take place at any time, however, the devout Roman prayed and made a sacrifice typically during meal times. The usual time was between dinner and dessert. When possible,

702-457: The Blues. But since Galba openly declared that no men were less to be feared than those who thought of nothing but eating, and that Vitellius's bottomless gullet might be filled from the resources of the province, it is clear to anyone that he was chosen rather through contempt than favour. Further on his physical appearance and end of reign: He was of average height, very bald, with blue eyes and

756-641: The Roman fleet, Illyria , Britannia , and Germania, were angered at not having received a donative . They also resented Galba's purges of their officers and fellow soldiers (this was especially true of the men from the fleet). Many in the Praetorian Guard were shaken by the recent murder of their Prefect Nymphidius Sabinus – some of the waverers were convinced to come over to Otho's side out of fear Galba might yet take revenge on them for their connection to Sabinus. According to Suetonius , Galba put on

810-541: The Servilia gens was one of the Alban houses removed to Rome by Tullus Hostilius , and enrolled by him among the patricians. It was, consequently, one of the gentes minores . The nomen Servilius is a patronymic surname, derived from the praenomen Servius , meaning "one who keeps safe" or "preserves". The different branches of the Servilii each used slightly different sets of praenomina . The oldest stirpes used

864-479: The character of Galba: "He seemed too great to be a subject so long as he was subject, and all would have agreed that he was equal to the imperial office if he had never held it ." Suetonius went on to say that Galba was visited by the Roman Goddess Fortuna in his dreams twice; on the latter occasion she "withdrew her support". This happened right before his later downfall. On 1 January 69,

918-488: The cities of the Spanish and Gallic provinces which had hesitated about taking sides with him by heavier taxes and some even by the razing of their walls, putting to death the governors and imperial deputies along with their wives and children. Further, that he had melted down a golden crown of fifteen pounds weight, which the people of Tarraco had taken from their ancient temple of Jupiter and presented to him, with orders that

972-514: The curia, pagi, or vici, into which the community was divided, whence such sacrifices were called sacra popularia; or (2) by the individual gentes and societies, i.e., the sodalitas, to which the superintendence of a particular cult had been committed by the State; or (3) by the magistrates and priests of the Roman State . The sacra of the gentes were with few exceptions performed in public, though

1026-428: The day Galba and Vinius took the office of consul, the fourth and twenty-second legions of Germania Superior refused to swear loyalty to Galba. They toppled his statues, demanding that a new emperor be chosen. On the following day, the soldiers of Germania Inferior also refused to swear their loyalty and proclaimed the governor of the province, Aulus Vitellius , as emperor. Galba tried to ensure his authority as emperor

1080-522: The early years of the Republic. They also bore the agnomen of Structus , which is always appended to their name in the Fasti, till it was supplanted by that of Fidenas , which was first obtained by Quintus Servilius Priscus Structus, who took Fidenae in his dictatorship , in 435 BC, and which was also borne by his descendants. Ahala , of which Axilla is merely another form, is a diminutive of ala ,

1134-601: The emperor Tiberius would not allow him to control a Roman province . Livia Ocellina became the second wife of Galba's father, whom she may have married because of his wealth; he was short and hunchbacked . Ocellina adopted Galba, and he took the name "Lucius Livius Ocella Sulpicius Galba", although he probably kept his original name in unofficial context, as evidenced by the fact that he reverted to it upon his accession as emperor. Galba preferred males over females in terms of sexual attraction; according to Suetonius, he "preferred full-grown, strong men". Nevertheless, he married

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1188-475: The family had sacra, so also had the gens, which had arisen out of the family by expansion. These were performed by a sacrificial priest flamen appointed from among the gentiles, the celebration taking place in his own house or in a special sacellum in the presence of the assembled gentiles. Sacra Privata typically takes place within the family. An individual might perform sacra at any time and whenever they thought it necessary; but if he vowed such sacra before

1242-516: The first century AD. He retired from his positions during the latter part of Claudius ' reign (with the advent of Agrippina the Younger ), but Nero later granted him the governorship of Hispania . Taking advantage of the defeat of Vindex 's rebellion and Nero's suicide, he became emperor with the support of the Praetorian Guard . Galba's physical weakness and general apathy led to his rule being dominated by favorites. Unable to gain popularity with

1296-474: The following descriptions of Galba's character and physical description: Even before he reached middle life, he persisted in keeping up an old and forgotten custom of his country, which survived only in his own household, of having his freedmen and slaves appear before him twice a day in a body, greeting him in the morning and bidding him farewell at evening, one by one. His double reputation for cruelty and avarice had gone before him; men said that he had punished

1350-530: The general of the legions of Germania Superior, was an important figure; Caligula installed Galba in the post held by Gaetulicus. According to one report Galba ran alongside Caligula's chariot for twenty miles. As commander of the legions of Germania Superior, Galba gained a reputation as a disciplinarian. Suetonius writes that Galba was advised to take the throne following the assassination of Caligula in 41, but loyally served Caligula's uncle and successor Claudius (r. 41–54); this story may simply be fictional. Galba

1404-516: The leavings which remained in a heap before him passed along and distributed among the attendants who waited on him..... He met his end in the seventy-third year of his age and the seventh month of his reign. The senate, as soon as it was allowed to do so, voted him a statue standing upon a column adorned with the beaks of ships, in the part of the Forum where he was slain; but Vespasian annulled this decree, believing that Galba had sent assassins from Spain to Judaea, to take his life. Tacitus comments on

1458-440: The middle of the third century BC, with the consuls of 253 and 252. Each was the grandson of a Gnaeus Servilius, suggesting that the two cognomina belonged to two branches of the same family. Caepio , an onion, belongs to a large class of surnames derived from ordinary objects, while Geminus originally denoted a twin, and was typically given to the younger of two brothers. In a discussion concerning appearances, Cicero mentions

1512-484: The multitude present remained silent spectators; only in a few cases they took part in the procession to the place of worship or in the sacrificial feast. The public religious practices of Ancient Rome served multiple purposes due to the nature of its religion. In ancient Rome, religion and the affairs of the state were closely intertwined so that the state religion was a mode of political power. Religious rituals and festivals were often held in order to calm and distract

1566-520: The name might have gotten the name from the term galba , which the Romans used to describe the Gauls , or after an insect called galbae . One of Galba's ancestors had been consul in 200 BC, and another of his ancestors was consul in 144 BC; the later emperor's father and brother , both named Gaius, would hold the office in 5 BC and AD 22 respectively. Galba's grandfather was a historian and his son

1620-840: The names in the Republican period are Ahala, Axilla, Caepio, Casca, Geminus, Glaucia, Globulus, Priscus (with the agnomen Fidenas ), Rullus, Structus, Tucca , and Vatia (with the agnomen Isauricus ). The Structi, Prisci, Ahalae, and Caepiones were patricians; the Gemini originally patrician, and later plebeian; the Vatiae and Cascae plebeians. Other cognomina appear under the Empire. The only surnames found on coins are those of Ahala, Caepio, Casca , and Rullus . The cognomen Structus almost always occurs in connection with those of Priscus or Ahala . The only two Structi who are mentioned with this cognomen are Spurius Servilius Structus, who

1674-481: The people or maintain the support of the Praetorian Guard, Galba was murdered on the orders of Otho , who became emperor in his place. Galba was not related to any of the emperors of the Julio-Claudian dynasty , but he was a member of a distinguished noble family. The origin of the cognomen Galba is uncertain. Suetonius offers a number of possible explanations; the first member of the gens Sulpicia to bear

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1728-648: The people. This can be seen through the establishment of the Apollinares around the time of the Second Punic War . These public affairs were meant to honor the gods by either consisting of sporting competitions, such as the Apollinares, or religious rituals. When these rituals consisted of sacrifice, they were controlled by the Emperor and the Elites The correct practice of rituals, or orthopraxis

1782-504: The praenomina Publius , Quintus , Spurius , and Gaius . The Servilii Caepiones used primarily Gnaeus and Quintus . The Servilii Gemini employed Gnaeus , Quintus , Publius , Gaius , and Marcus . The gens must also have used the praenomen Servius , but no longer used it in historical times, possibly due to its similar sound to the Latin word for slave ( servus ). The Servilii were divided into numerous families; of these

1836-406: The privilege granted by Claudius, of not being summoned for court duty in winter and at the beginning of the year. In regard to his appointment of Vitellius to Germania Inferior: Galba surprised everyone by sending him to Lower Germany . Some think that it was due to Titus Vinius, who had great influence at the time, and whose friendship Vitellius had long since won through their common support of

1890-431: The three ounces which were found lacking be exacted from them. This reputation was confirmed and even augmented immediately on his arrival in the city. For having compelled some marines whom Nero had made regular soldiers to return to their former position as rowers, upon their refusing and obstinately demanding an eagle and standards, he not only dispersed them by a cavalry charge, but even decimated them. He also disbanded

1944-621: The time he came to the throne, was advised by a corrupt group which included the general Titus Vinius , commander of one of the legions in Hispania; the praetorian prefect Cornelius Laco , and Icelus , a freedman of Galba. Galba seized the property of Roman citizens, disbanded the Germanian legions, and did not pay the Praetorians and the soldiers who fought against Vindex. These actions caused him to become unpopular. Suetonius wrote

1998-487: The title "General of Caesar" in favor of "General of The Senate and People of Rome ". He was supported by the imperial official Tigellinus . At midnight on 8 June, another imperial official, Nymphidius Sabinus , falsely announced to the Praetorian Guard that Nero had fled to Egypt , and the Senate proclaimed Galba emperor. Nero then committed assisted suicide with help from his secretary. Upon becoming emperor, Galba

2052-468: The worship of the gods, especially sacrifice and prayer. They are either sacra privata or publica . The former were undertaken on behalf of the individual by himself, on behalf of the family by the pater familias , or on behalf of the gens by the whole body of the people. The centre of the domestic service of the gods is formed by the worship of the Penates and Lares . In particular cases recourse

2106-518: Was Roman emperor , ruling for 7 months from 8 June AD 68 to 15 January 69. He was the first emperor in the Year of the Four Emperors and assumed the throne following Emperor Nero 's suicide. Born into a wealthy family, Galba held at various times the positions of praetor , consul , and governor of the provinces of Gallia Aquitania , Germania Superior , and Africa during the first half of

2160-415: Was consular tribune in 368 BC, and Spurius Servilius Structus, consul in 476 BC. The fact that Structus appears in two of the oldest stirpes of the Servilii, neither of which clearly predates the other, could indicate that persons bearing this surname were ancestral to both great houses. The Prisci ("antique") were an ancient family of the Servilia gens, and filled the highest offices of the state during

2214-415: Was a barrister whose first marriage was to Mummia Achaica , granddaughter of Quintus Lutatius Catulus and great-granddaughter of Lucius Mummius Achaicus ; Galba prided himself on his descent from his great-grandfather Catulus. According to Suetonius, he fabricated a genealogy of paternal descent from the god Jupiter and maternal descent from the legendary Pasiphaë , wife of Minos . Reportedly, Galba

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2268-420: Was also had to certain specified deities. Besides this, private sacra were attached to particular families; these passed to the heir with the succession and became a burden on him. Hence an inheritance without sacra [ hereditas sine sacris ] proverbially signified an unimpaired piece of good fortune. If a patrician wished to become a plebeian he had to renounce his familial sacra, his gens and his curia . As

2322-448: Was apparent at the first performance in the theatre; for when the actors of an Atellan farce began the familiar lines "Here comes Onesimus from his farm" all the spectators at once finished the song in chorus and repeated it several times with appropriate gestures, beginning with that verse. Thus his popularity and prestige were greater when he won, than while he ruled the empire, though he gave many proofs of being an excellent prince; but he

2376-483: Was appointed as governor of Africa in 44 or 45. He retired at an uncertain time during the reign of Claudius, possibly in 49. He was recalled in 59 or 60 by the emperor Nero (r. 54–68) to govern Hispania. A rebellion against Nero was orchestrated by Gaius Julius Vindex in Gaul on the anniversary of the death of Nero's mother, Agrippina the Younger , in 68. Shortly afterwards Galba, in rebellion against Nero, rejected

2430-669: Was bareheaded, often with a laurel wreath on his head for distinction. In live sacrifices, only domestic animals were used. These animals were cleaned and often decorated with ribbons or garlands with colors dependent on the god or goddess for whom they were intended. The Romans would also use fruit and grains in public ceremonies as well as libations or drinks. These inanimate sacrifices were not less significant than live animal sacrifices, but rather they all served different purposes and went to different deities . Galba Galba ( / ˈ ɡ æ l b ə / GAL -bə ; born Servius Sulpicius Galba ; 24 December 3 BC – 15 January AD 69)

2484-435: Was by no means so much loved for those qualities as he was hated for his acts of the opposite character. Particularly bad was his becoming under the influence of Vinius, Laco and Icelus: ...To these brigands, each with his different vice, he so entrusted and handed himself over as their tool, that his conduct was far from consistent; for now he was more exacting and niggardly, and now more extravagant and reckless than became

2538-451: Was distantly related to Livia to whom he had much respect and in turn by whom he was advanced in his career; in her will she left him fifty million sesterces ; Emperor Tiberius however cheated Galba by reducing the amount to five hundred thousand sesterces and never even paid Galba the reduced amount. Servius Sulpicius Galba was born near Terracina on 24 December 3 BC. His elder brother Gaius fled from Rome and committed suicide because

2592-411: Was essential to currying favor of the gods. Public ceremonies were presided over by some sort of authority from the higher social class over public affairs, and in some rare cases specifically women. The presider would begin the ceremony at the start of the day and bathe himself or herself thoroughly beforehand. Any civilians in attendance would wear togas with a hood over their heads while the presider

2646-498: Was faced by the rebellion of Nymphidius Sabinus , who had his own aspirations for the imperial throne. However, Sabinus was killed by the Praetorians before he could take the throne. While Galba was arriving to Rome with the Lusitanian governor Marcus Salvius Otho , his army was attacked by a legion that had been organized by Nero; a number of Galba's troops were killed in the fighting. Galba, who suffered from chronic gout by

2700-478: Was not unheard of. Many families would use small animals for their blood sacrifices. Some foods that they would use were wine, cheese, fruits, milk, honey cakes, honeycombs, and grapes. Families would also use incense, fire, or wreaths if they wanted a sacrifice that was more permanent. Romans would use sacrifices that represented life. If their ancestors became angry, they would placate them with an offering of black beans and spring water at midnight. Lares ,

2754-470: Was recognised by adopting the nobleman Lucius Calpurnius Piso Licinianus as his successor. Nevertheless, Galba was killed by the Praetorians on 15 January. Otho was angry that he had been passed over for adoption, and organised a conspiracy with a small number of Praetorian Guards to murder the aged emperor and elevate himself. The soldiery in the capital, composed not just of Praetorians but of Galba's legion from Hispania and several detachments of men from

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2808-416: Was run through with a spear. Laco was banished to an island where he was later murdered by soldiers of Otho. Icelus was publicly executed. Piso was also killed; his head along with Galba's and Vinius' were placed on poles and Otho was then acclaimed as emperor. Galba's head was brought by a soldier to Otho's camp where camp boys mocked it on a lance – Galba had angered them previously by remarking his vigor

2862-401: Was set before him, he groaned aloud; that when his duly appointed steward presented his expense account, he handed him a dish of beans in return for his industry and carefulness; and that when the flute player Canus greatly pleased him, he presented him with five denarii, which he took from his own purse with his own hand. Accordingly, his coming was not so welcome as it might have been, and this

2916-408: Was still unimpeded. Vinius' head was sold to his daughter for 2500 drachmas ; Piso's head was given to his wife. Galba's head was bought for 100 gold pieces by a freeman who threw it at Sessorium where his master Patrobius Neronianus had been killed by Galba. The body of Galba was taken up by Priscus Helvidius with the permission of Otho; at night Galba's steward Argivus took both the head and body to

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