Publius Galerius Trachalus was a Roman senator, who was active during the middle of the first century AD. He was consul for the year 68 as the colleague of Silius Italicus[1] and a noted Roman orator praised by Quintilian.[2][3]
Hailing from Ariminum, Trachalus is thought to possibly be a descendant of the equites Gaius Galerius, praefectus or governor of Egypt (AD 16–23).[4] He was also likely related to Galeria Fundana, the second wife of Otho.[5]
An inscription from Mediolanum (modern Milan), now lost, attests that Trachalus had been co-opted into the Septemviri epulones, one of the four most prestigious ancient Roman priesthoods.[6] Trachalus' skill in oratory and at the bar led Otho, upon becoming Emperor during the Year of the Four Emperors (AD 69), to make him an advisor.[7] With the suicide of Otho and the advent of his rival Vitellius to Rome and imperial power, Trachalus' life was in danger. Here he was protected by Vitellius' wife Galeria.[8] He evaded further danger in that tumultuous year and was permitted to be governor of Africa proconsularis for the term 78/79.[9]