A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology

was appointed by Nero governor of Africa; and, on the death of this emperor, A. D. 68, he raised the standard of revolt, and laid claim to the throne. He took this step at the instigation of Calvia Crispinilla, whom Tacitus calls the teacher of Nero in all voluptuousness, and who crossed over to Africa to persuade him to revolt; and it was also at her advice that he prevented the corn-ships from going to Rome, in order to produce a famine in the city. [CRISPINILLA.] As soon as Galba was seated on the throne, he caused Macer to be executed by the procurator, Trebonius Garucianus. During the short time that Macer exercised the sovereign power in Africa, he had become hated for his cruelties and extortions. (Tac. Hist. 1.7, 11, 37, 73, 2.97, 4.49; Suet. Galb. 11; Plut. Galb. 6, 15.) The head of Macer occurs on coins which he had struck, from which we learn that his praenomen was Lucius. (Eckhel, vol. vi. p. 288, &c.)