| Cornelius Laco | |
|---|---|
| Born | Rome |
| Died | 69 Rome |
| Allegiance | Roman Empire |
| Years of service | 68–69 |
| Rank | Praetorian prefect |
| Commands held | Praetorian Guard |
Cornelius Laco, (?–69) was a prefect of the Roman imperial bodyguard, known as the Praetorian Guard, under Emperor Galba from 68 until his death in 69. Laco acceded to this office upon the suicide of the previous emperor Nero, replacing Gaius Ophonius Tigellinus as head of the Guard.
Galba's rule proved to be short lived however. His advanced age had destroyed his energy, and he was entirely in the hands of favourites. Laco, together with Titus Vinius, who became Galba's colleague as consul, and Galba's freedman Icelus Martianus, were said to virtually control the emperor, even being called "the three pedagogues" because of their influence on him. All this made the new emperor gravely unpopular, and on January 15 69, Marcus Salvius Otho was proclaimed Emperor in his place. Galba was assassinated and Laco banished to an island where he was later murdered by soldiers of Otho.