Lives of Galba and Otho

Plutarch's "Lives of Galba and Otho" constitute the earliest surviving history of the shocking events that shook the Roman Empire in AD 68 and 69 - the rebellions against Nero, his betrayal and suicide, and Galba's disastrous reign, which ended in his murder. No other source preserves such a coherent account of the extraordinary events of 68, and for 69 Plutarch's "Lives" are comparable with Tacitus' "Histories". As well as including a translation, this useful companion explains the background, and provides a commentary that makes serious use of the numismatic evidence.