On This Day
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69 Roman Emperor Galba adopts Marcus Piso Licinianus as Caesar

Galba ( GAL-bə; born Servius Sulpicius Galba; 24 December 3 BC – 15 January AD 69) was Roman emperor, ruling for 7 months from 8 June AD 68 to 15 January 69.

Galba ( GAL-bə; born Servius Sulpicius Galba; 24 December 3 BC – 15 January AD 69) 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 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.

Historical Significance

Galba ( GAL-bə; born Servius Sulpicius Galba; 24 December 3 BC – 15 January AD 69) was Roman emperor, ruling for 7 months from 8 June AD 68 to 15 January 69.

Events Before

  1. 65 Jews revolt against Rome, capturing fortress of Antonia in Jerusalem

    65 Jews revolt against Rome, capturing fortress of Antonia in Jerusalem

  2. 66 5th recorded perihelion passage of Halley's Comet

    66 5th recorded perihelion passage of Halley's Comet

  3. 68 Roman Emperor Nero commits suicide, imploring his secretary Epaphroditus to slit his throat to evade a Senate-imposed

    68 Roman Emperor Nero commits suicide, imploring his secretary Epaphroditus to slit his throat to evade a Senate-imposed death by flogging

  4. 68 Roman Senate accepts Emperor Galba

    68 Roman Senate accepts Emperor Galba

  5. 68 BC Battle of Artaxata: Lucullus averts the bad omen of this day by defeating Tigranes the Great of Armenia

    68 BC Battle of Artaxata: Lucullus averts the bad omen of this day by defeating Tigranes the Great of Armenia

Events After

  1. 70 Roman army under General Titus completes the siege of Jerusalem by destroying what remained after four months of occu

    70 Roman army under General Titus completes the siege of Jerusalem by destroying what remained after four months of occupation and plundering

  2. 70 Rome captures the first wall of the city of Jerusalem

    The siege of Jerusalem in 70 CE was the decisive event of the First Jewish Revolt against the Roman Empire (66–73 CE).

  3. 70 The Tower of Antonia is destroyed by the Romans

    70 The Tower of Antonia is destroyed by the Romans

  4. 70 Walls of upper city of Jerusalem battered down by Roman army

    The siege of Jerusalem in 70 CE was the decisive event of the First Jewish Revolt against the Roman Empire (66–73 CE).

  5. 73 Masada, a Jewish fortress, falls to the Romans after several months of siege, ending the Jewish Revolt

    73 Masada, a Jewish fortress, falls to the Romans after several months of siege, ending the Jewish Revolt

More from the 60s

69 Roman garrison at Mainz (Mogontiacum) rises in rebellion, refusing allegiance to Emperor Galba

69 Roman garrison at Mainz (Mogontiacum) rises in rebellion, refusing allegiance to Emperor Galba

60 St. Paul is thought to have been shipwrecked at Malta

Malta, officially the Republic of Malta, is an island country in Southern Europe located in the Mediterranean Sea, between Sicily and North Africa.

68 Roman Emperor Nero commits suicide, imploring his secretary Epaphroditus to slit his throat to evade a Senate-imposed

68 Roman Emperor Nero commits suicide, imploring his secretary Epaphroditus to slit his throat to evade a Senate-imposed death by flogging

64 Great Fire of Rome begins under the Emperor Nero

Early Christians were heavily persecuted throughout the Roman Empire until the 3rd century.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on January 10, 69?
Galba ( GAL-bə; born Servius Sulpicius Galba; 24 December 3 BC – 15 January AD 69) 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 the first century AD.
Why is 69 Roman Emperor Galba adopts Marcus Piso Licinianus as Caesar significant?
Galba ( GAL-bə; born Servius Sulpicius Galba; 24 December 3 BC – 15 January AD 69) was Roman emperor, ruling for 7 months from 8 June AD 68 to 15 January 69.

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January 10 in HistoryYear 69