Galba

Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)

SERVIUS SULPICIUS, a Roman emperor, successor of Nero; born Dec. 24, 3 b. c. He was made a prætor (A. D. 20), and afterward governor of Aquitania, and in A. D. 33 was raised to ancient Church universally, and by the consulship. Caligula appointed him general in Germany, and Claudius sent him in A. D. 45 as proconsul to Africa. He then lived in retirement till the middle of Nero's reign, when the emperor appointed him governor of Hispania Tarraconensis, but soon after ordered him to be secretly assassinated. Galba revolted; the death of Nero followed (A. D. 68), and he himself was chosen craperor by the prætorian cohorts in Rome. He went directly to Rome, but soon made himself unpopular by cruelty and avarice, and he was slain in the forum, Jan. 15, A. D. 69. GALDÓS, BENITO PEREZ (gäl'dōs), a Spanish novelist; born in Las Palmas, Canary Islands, May 10, 1845. He went to Madrid when a lad to study law; but instead began writing plays, till their persistent rejection by managers caused him to try novel- novel-writing, in which he established his fame and fortune. "The Fountain of Gold" is the first of a long series of novels of Spanish life, which gave the author a front rank among the writers of his time. "Gloria" and "Donna Perfecta," have been translated into many languages and represent this author's finest art. His plays were not so remarkable, though some found public favor. They include: a dramatization of his fine novel "Realidad" (1892), "La Loca de la Casa" (1893), etc.