1. Overview
Lucius Salvius Otho Titianus was a prominent Roman senator and the elder brother of Otho, who briefly reigned as Roman Emperor in 69 AD. His life and career illustrate the intricate dynamics of power, social connections, and the volatile political landscape within the Roman elite, particularly during the turbulent Year of the Four Emperors. Titianus held significant public offices, including two consulships, and played a crucial role during his brother's imperial tenure, eventually becoming a generalissimo. His family connections, notably through his marriage to the sister of future Emperor Nerva, positioned him at the heart of Roman aristocratic society, though these connections also exposed his descendants to political perils under later emperors.
2. Political career and public service
Lucius Salvius Otho Titianus's political career was marked by several high-ranking appointments and active participation in public service, demonstrating his standing within the Roman senatorial class.
2.1. Early career
Titianus began his public service as Roman consul in 52 AD, serving alongside Faustus Cornelius Sulla Felix. This appointment marked an important milestone in his senatorial career. He was also an active member of the prestigious Arval Brethren, a priestly college, where he served as promagistrate on at least five occasions between 57 AD and 69 AD. His responsibilities within this ancient religious institution underscored his social and political importance. Further illustrating his prominence, Titianus was awarded the proconsular governorship of the Roman province of Asia for the term 63/64 AD through sortition, a common method for assigning such high-level provincial commands.
2.2. Role during Otho's reign
Titianus's influence and responsibilities significantly escalated during the brief reign of his brother, Emperor Otho, in 69 AD. Following the assassination of Galba, Titianus was appointed as his brother's co-consul, serving in this capacity from Galba's death until the end of February of that year. When Emperor Otho departed from Rome to confront the advancing forces of Vitellius in Italy, he entrusted the daily imperial administration and responsibilities to Titianus, a testament to his confidence in his brother's capabilities. Subsequently, Otho appointed Titianus as generalissimo, granting him supreme command over the war effort against Vitellius. In this critical military role, Titianus was actively present at the First Battle of Bedriacum, a pivotal engagement in the civil war.
3. Family
Lucius Salvius Otho Titianus's familial connections were deeply intertwined with the Roman imperial aristocracy, securing his social standing and influencing the fate of his descendants.
3.1. Marriage and descendants
Titianus was married to Cocceia, who was the sister of the future Emperor Nerva, who would reign from 96 to 98 AD. This marriage formed a direct link between Titianus's family and the imperial line, further solidifying his position among the Roman elite. They had one known son, Lucius Salvius Otho Cocceianus. Their son followed in his father's footsteps, rising to become consul around 80 AD. However, Cocceianus's life met a tragic end when he was executed under the direct orders of Emperor Domitian. His offense was purportedly celebrating the birthday of his uncle, the former Emperor Otho, an act that Domitian, known for his autocratic rule and suspicion of any perceived threats or rival loyalties, deemed a serious enough transgression to warrant execution. This incident highlights the precarious nature of life for even high-ranking individuals under an emperor whose rule often disregarded established legal norms, emphasizing the arbitrary and often brutal exercise of power in the Roman Empire.