Otho tazza

The Silver Caesars are artworks literally made from money. With a combined weight of more than eighty two pounds of precious silver, they could only have been created for one of the period’s most preeminent patrons. Moreover, given the flattering treatment of the imperial subject matter, it is highly probable that the tazze were intended for someone in a position of princely authority.

Scene one
1
Otho hosts the emperor Galba for dinner
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During the visit, Otho also gives gold coins to the emperor’s guards in order to win their favor

Scene two
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The city troops declare Otho emperor (a.d. 69) and carry him to their military base in a sedan chair
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But Otho is impatient: he jumps from the sedan chair and runs to the base on foot

Scene three
Otho’s forces are defeated by a trick in the Battle of Bedriacum (a.d. 69). Called to a peace treaty, they are attacked by Vitellius’s army

Scene four
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A soldier arrives at Otho’s camp to inform him of his army’s defeat. After the announcement, the soldier kills himself
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Otho is inspired by the soldier’s bravery and decides to commit suicide as well. At dawn, lying in bed, he stabs himself with a single stroke below his left breast