The Life and Times of Galba

Galba's mother was the granddaughter of Quintus Catullus, a giant in the final days of the Republic who had defeated the post-Sullen coup led by his consular colleague Lepidus. Galba himself rose quickly up the ranks, serving as Prater in 20 AD and then consul in 33. During Tiberius' reign, Galba caught the eye of the Augusta and was brought into her sphere of influence. He remained loyal to Caligula even as the Emperor's erratic behavior became unsustainable. But after Nero killed his mother, Galba returned to public life and in 61 AD he was posted to Hispania Tercanensis,.