In AD 68, Nero?s suicide marked the end of the first dynasty of imperial Rome. The following year was one of drama and danger, with four emperors?Galba, Otho, Vitellius, and Vespasian? emerging in succession. Based on authoritative sources,<i>The Histories</i> vividly recounts the details of the ?long but single year? of revolution that brought the Roman empire to the brink of collapse.