The Lives of the Twelve Caesars, Volume 08: Otho

The biography traces the rise and fall of a nobleman who attains the imperial office, detailing his family background, turbulent youth, and intimate involvement in court intrigues that led to exile and later favor. It recounts his calculated return, the conspiracy that secured him power, and the brief measures and personal indulgences of his rule. The narrative follows the military and political pressures that produced defeat, the circumstances of his death, and the restoration of former officials. Anecdotes about character, scandal, omens, and administrative acts are woven into a sequential portrait that highlights the interplay of private behavior and public consequence.