A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology

Smith, William

A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology. William Smith, LLD, ed. 1890

was one of Otho's. friends, and was advanced by him to the dignity of praefect of the praetorian cohorts. Otho placed more confidence in him than in any of his other generals, and he maintained his influence with the emperor by calumniating those who had more virtue than himself. His want of experience in war and his evil counsels hastened Otho's fall. He escaped with his life after the defeat at Bedriacum, and obtained his pardon from Vitellius by pleading that he had purposely betrayed his master. (Tac. Hist. 1.46, 82, 87, 2.33, 39, 44, 60.)