Nerva
Emperor of the Roman Empire
Bust of emperor Nerva, Palazzo Massimo alle Terme, Rome
Reign	September 18, 96 – 27 January 98
Full name	Marcus Cocceius Nerva
Born	November 8, 30(30-11-08)
Birthplace	Narni
Died	27 January 98 (aged 67)
Place of death	Gardens of Sallust, Rome
Buried	Mausoleum of Augustus, Rome
Predecessor	Domitian
Successor	Trajan
Issue	Trajan (adoptive)
Dynasty	Nervan-Antonine
Father	Marcus Cocceius Nerva
Mother	Sergia Plautilla

Marcus Cocceius Nerva (November 8, 30 – January 27, 98) was a Roman Emperor who briefly reigned from 96 until his death in 98. The Roman Emperor was the ruler of the Roman State during the imperial period (starting at about 27 BC The Roman Empire was the post-Republican phase of the ancient Roman civilization, characterised by an autocratic form of government and large territorial The National Museum of Rome ( Museo Nazionale Romano in Italian is a set of museums in Rome, Italy, split between various branches across the city Rome ( Roma ˈroma Roma is the capital city of Italy and Lazio, and is Italy's largest and most populous city with more than 2 Events 96 - Nerva is proclaimed Roman Emperor after Domitian is assassinated Year 96 was a Leap year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Julian calendar. Events 98 - Trajan becomes Roman Emperor after the death of Nerva. Year 98 was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Julian calendar. Events 1519 - Hernán Cortés enters Tenochtitlán and Aztec ruler Moctezuma welcomes him with great a Celebration Year 30 was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Julian calendar. Narni is an ancient hilltown and Comune of Umbria in central Italy, with 20100 inhabitants according to the 2003 census at altitude 240 m (787 ft Events 98 - Trajan becomes Roman Emperor after the death of Nerva. Year 98 was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Julian calendar. The Gardens of Sallust ( Latin: Horti Sallustiani) were Roman gardens developed by the Roman historian Sallust in the 1st century The Mausoleum of Augustus was a large tomb built by the Roman Emperor Augustus in 28 BC on the Campus Martius in Rome. Titus Flavius Domitianus (24 October 51 &ndash 18 September 96 commonly known as Domitian, was a Roman Emperor who reigned from 14 September 81 until his death Marcus Ulpius Nerva Traianus, commonly known as Trajan ( September 18 53 &ndash August 9 117) was a Roman Emperor who Marcus Ulpius Nerva Traianus, commonly known as Trajan ( September 18 53 &ndash August 9 117) was a Roman Emperor who Nervan-Antonian dynasty is a Dynasty of six loosely connected Roman Emperors who ruled over the Roman Empire for almost the whole 2nd century Events 1519 - Hernán Cortés enters Tenochtitlán and Aztec ruler Moctezuma welcomes him with great a Celebration Year 30 was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Julian calendar. Events 98 - Trajan becomes Roman Emperor after the death of Nerva. Year 98 was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Julian calendar. The Roman Emperor was the ruler of the Roman State during the imperial period (starting at about 27 BC Year 96 was a Leap year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Julian calendar. Year 98 was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Julian calendar. Nerva acceded to this position at the advanced age of 65, after a lifetime of imperial service under emperor Nero and the rulers of the Flavian dynasty, Vespasian, Titus and Domitian. Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus ( December 15, 37 – June 9, 68) born Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus, also called The Flavian dynasty was a Roman imperial Dynasty, which ruled the Roman Empire between 69 and 96 AD encompassing the reigns of Vespasian (69&ndash79 Titus Flavius Vespasianus, commonly known as Vespasian ( November 17 9 &ndash June 23 79) was a Roman Emperor who Titus Flavius Vespasianus, commonly known as Titus ( December 30 39 &ndash September 13 81) was a Roman Emperor who Titus Flavius Domitianus (24 October 51 &ndash 18 September 96 commonly known as Domitian, was a Roman Emperor who reigned from 14 September 81 until his death Under Nero, he was a member of the imperial entourage and played a vital part in exposing the Pisonian conspiracy of 65. The conspiracy of Gaius Calpurnius Piso in 65 represented one of the major turning points in the reign of the Roman emperor Nero (54&ndash68 Year 65 was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Julian calendar. Later, as a loyalist to the Flavians, he attained consulships in 71 and 90 during the reigns of Vespasian and Domitian respectively. Consul (abbrev cos; Latin plural consules) was the highest elected Political office of the Roman Republic and the Empire.

On September 18, 96, Domitian was assassinated in a palace conspiracy involving members of the Praetorian Guard and several of his freedmen. Events 96 - Nerva is proclaimed Roman Emperor after Domitian is assassinated The Praetorian Guard ( Latin: PRÆTORIANI was a special force of Guards used by Roman Emperors Before being appropriated A freedman is a former slave who has been manumitted or emancipated. The same day, Nerva was declared emperor by the Roman Senate. The Roman Senate was a political institution in Ancient Rome. As the new ruler of the Roman Empire, he vowed to restore liberties which had been curtailed during the autocratic government of Domitian, however Nerva's brief reign was marred by financial difficulties and his inability to assert his authority over the Roman army. The Roman Empire was the post-Republican phase of the ancient Roman civilization, characterised by an autocratic form of government and large territorial An autocracy is a Form of government in which the Political power is held by a single self-appointed ruler The Roman army was a set of military forces employed by the Roman Kingdom, Roman Republic and later Roman Empire as part of the Roman military A revolt by the Praetorian Guard in October of 97 all but forced him to adopt the more popular Marcus Ulpius Traianus—commonly known as Trajan—as his heir and successor. In Ancient Rome, Adoption of boys was a fairly common procedure particularly in the upper senatorial class Marcus Ulpius Nerva Traianus, commonly known as Trajan ( September 18 53 &ndash August 9 117) was a Roman Emperor who After not quite eighteen months in office, Nerva died of natural causes on January 27 98. Events 98 - Trajan becomes Roman Emperor after the death of Nerva. Upon his death he was succeeded and deified by his adopted son Trajan.

Although much of his life remains obscure, Nerva was considered a wise and moderate emperor by ancient historians, a view which was later popularized by the 18th century scholar Edward Gibbon, who termed the rule of Nerva and his four successors as that of the Five Good Emperors, following similar comments by Machiavelli in the early 16th century. See also History An historian is an individual who studies and writes about History, and is regarded as an Authority on it The 18th century lasted from 1701 to 1800 in the Gregorian calendar, in accordance with the Anno Domini / Common Era numbering system Edward Gibbon ( April 27, 1737 January 16, 1794) was an English historian and Member of Parliament. The Five Good Emperors is a term that refers to five consecutive emperors of the Roman Empire who represented a line of virtuous and just rule — Nerva, Trajan By adopting Trajan as his heir, Nerva is said to have established a tradition of succession through adoption among the emperors which followed. Recent historians, however, have revised these opinions, since those adoptions only took place when and because none of them had living male issue or the adoptees were otherwise their relatives by ancestry and / or marriage or even related to their previous ancestors.

Early career

Family

Marcus Cocceius Nerva was born at Narni, c. Also known as the Nervan dynasty the Ulpian dynasty (after their common Gens nomen Ulpius or combined with the subsequent Antonine dynasty to form the Nervan-Antonian Marcus Ulpius Nerva Traianus, commonly known as Trajan ( September 18 53 &ndash August 9 117) was a Roman Emperor who Marcus Ulpius Nerva Traianus, commonly known as Trajan ( September 18 53 &ndash August 9 117) was a Roman Emperor who Publius Aelius Hadrianus (January 24 76 &ndash July 10 138 as emperor Imperator Caesar Divi Traiani filius Traianus Hadrianus Augustus, and Divus Hadrianus after Publius Aelius Hadrianus (January 24 76 &ndash July 10 138 as emperor Imperator Caesar Divi Traiani filius Traianus Hadrianus Augustus, and Divus Hadrianus after Lucius Aelius Verus Caesar ( January 13, 101 - January 1 138) became the adopted son and intended successor of Roman Emperor Hadrian Titus Aurelius Fulvus Boionius Arrius Antoninus ( September 19, 86 &ndash March 7 161) generally known in English as Antoninus Pius Narni is an ancient hilltown and Comune of Umbria in central Italy, with 20100 inhabitants according to the 2003 census at altitude 240 m (787 ft 80 km north of Rome,^[1] to the family of Marcus Cocceius Nerva and Sergia Plautilla. Ancient sources give the date as either 30 or 35. Year 30 was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Julian calendar. Year 35 was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Julian calendar. ^[2] Like Vespasian, the founder of the Flavian dynasty, he was a member of the Italian nobility rather than one of the elite of Rome. Titus Flavius Vespasianus, commonly known as Vespasian ( November 17 9 &ndash June 23 79) was a Roman Emperor who The Flavian dynasty was a Roman imperial Dynasty, which ruled the Roman Empire between 69 and 96 AD encompassing the reigns of Vespasian (69&ndash79 ^[3]

Members of his family had held high office; his great-grandfather, also named Marcus Cocceius Nerva, was consul in 36 BC,^[4] and his grandfather (also named Marcus Cocceius Nerva) had been in the imperial entourage of Tiberius at the time of Nerva's birth. Marcus Cocceius Nerva was Consul of the Roman Republic in 36 BC together with Lucius Gellius Publicola. Consul (abbrev cos; Latin plural consules) was the highest elected Political office of the Roman Republic and the Empire. Year 36 BC was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Julian calendar. Tiberius Julius Caesar Augustus (or Tiberius I) born Tiberius Claudius Nero (November 16 42 BC – March 16 AD 37) was the second Roman ^[5] He was connected with the Julio-Claudian dynasty from his mother's side through his uncle Octavius Laenas, who had married the great-granddaughter of Tiberius Rubellia Bassa. The Julio-Claudian Dynasty refers to the first five Roman Emperors: Augustus (Octavian Tiberius, Caligula (Gaius Claudius, and Rubellia Bassa or Bussa (born between 33-38 was the daughter of Gaius Rubellius Blandus, consul in 18 and his wife Julia (killed 43 she was the granddaughter ^[3] In addition Nerva's sister may have married emperor Otho's brother Titianus. For other uses see Otho (disambiguation. Marcus Salvius Otho ( April 25, 32 – April 16, 69) also called Marcus ^[6]

Public service

Not much of Nerva's early career is recorded, but it appears he did not pursue the usual administrative or military career. The cursus honorum ( Latin: "course of honors" or "honors race" was the sequential order of Public offices held by aspiring According to Tacitus he was praetor-elect during the reign of emperor Nero in 65. Praetor was a title granted by the government of Ancient Rome to men acting in one of two official capacities the commander of an Army, either before Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus ( December 15, 37 – June 9, 68) born Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus, also called Year 65 was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Julian calendar. ^[7] He played a successful part in exposing the Pisonian conspiracy, for which he earned triumphal honors and had his statues placed throughout the palace. The conspiracy of Gaius Calpurnius Piso in 65 represented one of the major turning points in the reign of the Roman emperor Nero (54&ndash68 A Roman triumph ( la [[wikttriumphus triumphus]], Old Latin la triumpus, attested as the exclamation la TRIVMPE in the Carmen Arvale; via ^[7] Both Nerva and Vespasian were part of Nero's entourage during this time, and Nerva may have acted as a guardian to the young Domitian when Vespasian was sent to the east in 67 to quell the Jewish rebellion. Titus Flavius Domitianus (24 October 51 &ndash 18 September 96 commonly known as Domitian, was a Roman Emperor who reigned from 14 September 81 until his death Year 67 was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar of the Julian calendar. ^[8]

Following the death of Nero in 68, Nerva remained faithful to the Flavians during the civil war of 69—the so called Year of the Four Emperors—which saw the rapid succession and fall of the emperors Galba, Otho and Vitellius until the accession of Vespasian on December 21. Year 68 was a Leap year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Julian calendar. A civil war is a War between a State and domestic political actors that are in control of some part of the territory claimed by the state 69 (sex position & book by Ryu Murakami are -- already linked by "" with other meanings The Year of the Four Emperors was a year in the history of the Roman Empire, AD 69 in which four emperors ruled in a remarkable succession Servius Sulpicius Galba ( December 24, 3 BC &ndash January 15, 69) also called Servius Sulpicius Galba Caesar For other uses see Otho (disambiguation. Marcus Salvius Otho ( April 25, 32 – April 16, 69) also called Marcus Aulus Vitellius Germanicus, born Aulus Vitellius and commonly known as Vitellius ( 24 September, 15 &ndash 22 December, 69 Events 69 - The end of the Year of the four emperors: Following Galba, Otho and Vitellius, Vespasian For his loyalty, Nerva was rewarded with his first consulship in 71,^[9] and he continued his services under Vespasian's sons Titus (79–81) and Domitian (81–96). Year 71 was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Julian calendar. Titus Flavius Vespasianus, commonly known as Titus ( December 30 39 &ndash September 13 81) was a Roman Emperor who Year 81 was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Julian calendar. Year 96 was a Leap year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Julian calendar. In the spring of 89, the governor of Germania Superior Lucius Antonius Saturninus led a rebellion against Domitian involving the Legio XIIII Gemina and Legio XXI Rapax. Year 89 was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar of the Julian calendar. Germania Superior ("Upper Germania " so called for the reason that it lay upstream of Germania Inferior, was a province of the Lucius Antonius Saturninus was Roman governor of Germania Superior during the reign of the Emperor Domitian. Legio XXI Rapax, the predator, was a Roman legion levied in 31 BC by Augustus, probably from men previously enlisted in other legions ^[10] It has been suggested that Nerva was instrumental in alerting the emperor to this conspiracy, for which he was rewarded with his second consulship in 90. Year 90 was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Julian calendar. ^[9] For Domitian, however, the revolt had a lasting impact on the final years of his reign. His administration became increasingly paranoid and ultimately spiralled into terror. Paranoia is a disturbed thought process characterized by excessive Anxiety or Fear, often to the point of Irrationality and Delusion. ^[11]

Emperor

Accession

Bust of emperor Domitian. Capitoline Museums, Rome. The Capitoline Museums ( Italian Musei Capitolini) are a group of art and archeological Museums in Piazza del Campidoglio Rome ( Roma ˈroma Roma is the capital city of Italy and Lazio, and is Italy's largest and most populous city with more than 2

On September 18, 96, Domitian was assassinated by a palace conspiracy involving high ranking members of the Praetorian Guard and several of his own freedmen. Events 96 - Nerva is proclaimed Roman Emperor after Domitian is assassinated Year 96 was a Leap year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Julian calendar. In a political sense conspiracy refers to a group of persons united in the goal of usurping or overthrowing an established political power The Praetorian Guard ( Latin: PRÆTORIANI was a special force of Guards used by Roman Emperors Before being appropriated A freedman is a former slave who has been manumitted or emancipated. ^[12] The Fasti Ostienses, the Ostian Calendar, records that the same day, Marcus Cocceius Nerva was proclaimed emperor. ^[13] The manner of his accession however, has been a topic of considerable debate. ^[14] While Nerva had previously held high offices and was a well-connected member of the Flavian government, much of his career was spent out of the public light, and none of it pointed to the possibility of attaining the imperial power. It has been suggested that Nerva took part in the conspiracy against Domitian, or at the very least had advance knowledge of the plot. ^[14] The historian Cassius Dio writes that prior to the assassination, the conspirators discussed the matter of succession with various candidates they deemed viable, one of which was Nerva, who was approached not only on account of his administrative qualities, but also because they claimed he had recently fallen under suspicion of Domitian, and would have nothing further to lose if he took part in the plot. Lucius Cassius Dio Cocceianus ( Greek:) (c 155 or 163/164 to after 229 known in English as Cassius Dio, Dio Cassius, or Dio was ^[15] While his involvement in the conspiracy may never be ascertained,^[16] modern historians now believe Nerva was proclaimed emperor on the sole initiative of the Senate, within hours after the news of the assassination broke. The Roman Senate was a political institution in Ancient Rome. ^[13] Although he appeared to be an unlikely candidate on account of his age and weak health, Nerva was considered a safe choice precisely because he was old and childless. ^[17] Furthermore, he had close connections with the Flavian dynasty and commanded the respect of a substantial part of the Senate. Nerva had seen the anarchy which had resulted from the death of Nero in 69; he knew that to hesitate even for a few hours could lead to violent civil conflict. Anarchy (from αναρχία anarchía, "without ruler " may refer to any of the following "Absence of government a state of lawlessness 69 (sex position & book by Ryu Murakami are -- already linked by "" with other meanings Rather than decline the invitation and risk revolts, he accepted. Rebellion is a refusal of obedienceIt may therefore be seen as encompassing a range of Behaviours from Civil disobedience and mass Nonviolent resistance ^[18]

Following the accession of Nerva as emperor, the Senate passed damnatio memoriae on Domitian: his coins and statues were melted, his arches were torn down and his name was erased from all public records. Damnatio memoriae is the Latin phrase literally meaning "damnation of memory" in the sense of removed from the remembrance. An arch is a structure that spans a space while supporting weight (e ^[19][20] In many instances, existing portraits of Domitian, such as those found on the Cancelleria Reliefs, were simply recarved to fit the likeness of Nerva. The Cancelleria Reliefs are a set of two incomplete Bas-reliefs believed to have been commissioned by the Roman Emperor Domitian (81 AD &ndash 96 This allowed quick production of new images and recycling of previous material. ^[21] In addition, the vast palace which Domitian had erected on the Palatine Hill, known as the Flavian Palace, was renamed the "House of the People", and Nerva himself took up residence in Vespasian's former villa, the Gardens of Sallust. The Palatine Hill ( Latin: Collis Palatium or Mons Palatinus) is the centermost of the Seven Hills of Rome The Flavian Palace, also known as Domus Flavia, is a part of the vast residential complex of the Roman Emperors on the Palatine Hill in Rome. The Gardens of Sallust ( Latin: Horti Sallustiani) were Roman gardens developed by the Roman historian Sallust in the 1st century ^[22]

Administration

Last remaining columns from the largely blind peristyle surrounding a temple to Minerva, located at the heart of the Forum of Nerva. In Greek and Roman architecture a peristyle is a Columned Porch or open Colonnade in a Building that surrounds a court The MInisterial NEtwoRk for Valorising Activities in digitisation, or MINERVA, is a European Union organization concerned with the digitisation of cultural and The Imperial Fora consist of a series of monumental fora (public squares constructed in Rome over a period of one and half centuries between 46 The visible door frame is not an original element but rather one of the many modifications suffered during the Middle Ages.

The change of government was a breath of relief for the Roman Senate, whose senators had suffered under the terrors of Domitian's regime. As an immediate gesture of goodwill towards his supporters, Nerva publicly swore that no senators would be put to death as long as he remained in office. ^[23] He called an end to trials based on treason, released those who had been imprisoned under these charges, and granted amnesty to many who had been exiled. The Law of Majestas, or lex maiestas, refers to any one of several ancient Roman laws ( leges maiestatis) throughout the republican and Imperial periods dealing with Amnesty (from the Greek amnestia, oblivion is a legislative or executive act by which a state restores those who may have been guilty of an offense against it to Exile means to be away from one's home (ie city state or country while either being explicitly refused permission to return and/or being threatened by prison or death upon return ^[20] All properties which had been confiscated by Domitian were returned to their respective families. ^[20] Nerva also sought to involve the Senate in his government, but this was not entirely successful. He continued to rely largely on friends and advisors that were known and trusted, and by maintaining friendly relations with the pro-Domitianic faction of the Senate, he incurred hostility which may have been the cause for at least one conspiracy against his life. ^[24][25]

Having been proclaimed emperor solely on the initiative of the Senate, a number of measures had to be introduced in order to gain support among the Roman populace. As was custom by this time, a change of emperor was expected to bring with it a generous payment of gifts and money to the people and the army. Accordingly, a congiarium of 75 denarii per head was bestowed upon the citizens, while the soldiers of the Praetorian Guard received a donativum which may have amounted to as much as 5000 denarii per person. Of Ancient Roman containers a congiarium, or congiary, ( Latin, from Congius) was a vessel containing one Congius, a measure The Roman Currency system included the denarius (plural denarii) after 211 BC a small Silver coin, Donativum (plural donativa) was the name given to the gifts of money dispersed to the soldiers of the Roman legions or to the Praetorian Guard The Roman Currency system included the denarius (plural denarii) after 211 BC a small Silver coin, ^[26] This was followed by a string of economic reforms intended to alleviate the burden of taxation from the most needy Romans. ^[27] To the poorest, Nerva granted allotments of land worth up to 60 million sesterces. The sestertius, or sesterce, was an ancient Roman Coin. During the Roman Republic it was a small Silver, and rare coin issued ^[23] He exempted parents and their children from a 5% inheritance tax, and he made loans to Italian landowners on the condition that they pay interest of 5% to their municipality to support the children of needy families; alimentary schemes which were later expanded by Trajan, Antoninus Pius, and Marcus Aurelius. Estate tax and Death duty redirect here Inheritance tax, estate tax and death duty are the names given to various taxes which Interest is a fee paid on borrowed capital Assets lent include Money, Shares, Consumer goods through Hire purchase, major assets Titus Aurelius Fulvus Boionius Arrius Antoninus ( September 19, 86 &ndash March 7 161) generally known in English as Antoninus Pius Marcus Aurelius Antoninus Augustus (often referred to as "the wise" ( April 26, 121 – March 17, 180) was Roman Emperor ^[28] Furthermore, numerous taxes were remitted and privileges granted to Roman provinces. ^[26]

Before long, Nerva's expenses strained the economy of Rome and, although perhaps not ruinous to the extent once suggested by Syme,^[29] necessitated the formation of a special commission of economy to drastically reduce expenditures. ^[30] The most superfluous religious sacrifices, games and horse races were abolished, while new income was generated from Domitian's former possessions, including the auctioning of ships, estates, and even furniture. Gladiators (gladiatores "swordsmen" or "one who uses a sword" from la ''gladius'' "sword" were professional fighters in Ancient Rome who fought This article is about the sport For other uses see Horserace (drinking game or Horse race (politics. ^[23] Large amounts of money were obtained from Domitian's silver and gold statues, and Nerva forbade that similar images be made in his honor. Silver (ˈsɪlvɚ is a Chemical element with the symbol " Ag " (argentum from the Ancient Greek: ἀργήντος - argēntos gen Gold (ˈɡoʊld is a Chemical element with the symbol Au (from its Latin name aurum) and Atomic number 79 ^[20]

Because he reigned only briefly, Nerva's public works were few, instead completing projects which had been initiated under Flavian rule. This included extensive repairs to the Roman road system and the expansion of the aqueducts. The Roman Roads were essential for the growth of the Roman Empire, by enabling the Romans to move armies and trade goods and to communicate news An aqueduct is an artificial channel that is constructed to convey water from one location to another ^[31] The latter program was headed by the former consul Sextus Julius Frontinus, who helped to put an end to abuses and later published a significant work on Rome's water supply, De Aquis Urbis Romae. Consul (abbrev cos; Latin plural consules) was the highest elected Political office of the Roman Republic and the Empire. Sextus Julius Frontinus (ca 40-103 AD was one of the most distinguished Roman aristocrats of the late first century AD but is best known to the post-Classical world as an ^[32] The only major landmarks constructed under Nerva were a granary, known as the Horrea Nervae,^[33] and a small Imperial Forum begun by Domitian, which linked the Forum of Augustus to the Temple of Peace. A granary is a storehouse for threshed grain or Animal feed. In ancient or primitive granaries Pottery is the most The Imperial Fora consist of a series of monumental fora (public squares constructed in Rome over a period of one and half centuries between 46 The Forum of Augustus is one of the Imperial forums of Rome built by Augustus. The Imperial Fora consist of a series of monumental fora (public squares constructed in Rome over a period of one and half centuries between 46 ^[34] Little remains, partly because the Via dei Fori Imperiali cuts across it. The Via dei Fori Imperiali is a road in the centre of the city of Rome that runs in a straight line from the Piazza Venezia to the Colosseum, which is itself

Crisis of succession

Roman aureus struck under Nerva, c. The aureus (pl aurei) was a Gold coin of Ancient Rome valued at 25 silver denarii. 97. The reverse reads Concordia Exercituum, symbolyzing the unity between the emperor and the Roman army with two clasped hands over an army standard. In Roman religion, Concord ( Latin: Concordia) was the goddess of agreement understanding and marital harmony The Roman army was a set of military forces employed by the Roman Kingdom, Roman Republic and later Roman Empire as part of the Roman military The signa militaria were the Roman military Ensigns or standards The most ancient standard employed by the Romans is said to have been a handful ( maniple

Despite Nerva's measures to remain popular with the Senate and the Roman people, support for Domitian remained strong in the army, which had called for his deification immediately after the assassination. The Roman army was a set of military forces employed by the Roman Kingdom, Roman Republic and later Roman Empire as part of the Roman military ^[19] In an attempt to appease the soldiers of the Praetorian Guard, Nerva had dismissed their prefect Titus Petronius Secundus—one of the chief conspirators against Domitian—and replaced him by a former commander, Casperius Aelianus. The Praetorian Guard ( Latin: PRÆTORIANI was a special force of Guards used by Roman Emperors Before being appropriated Titus Petronius Secundus (40&ndash97 was a prefect of the Roman imperial Bodyguard, known as the Praetorian Guard, under Casperius Aelianus, who served as Praetorian Prefect under the emperors Domitian and Nerva, was a Praetorian Prefect loyal to the Roman ^[35] Likewise, the generous donativum bestowed upon the soldiers following his accession was expected to swiftly silence any protests against the violent regime change. The Praetorians considered these measures insufficient, however, and demanded the execution of Domitian's assassins, which Nerva refused. ^[36] Continued dissatisfaction with this state of affairs would ultimately lead to the gravest crisis of Nerva's reign.

While the swift transfer of power following Domitian's death had prevented a civil war from erupting, Nerva's position as an emperor soon proved too vulnerable, and his benign nature turned into a reluctance to assert his authority. A civil war is a War between a State and domestic political actors that are in control of some part of the territory claimed by the state Upon his accession, he had ordered a halt to treason trials, but at the same time he still allowed the prosecution of informers by the Senate. Delator (plural Delatores is Latin for a denouncer ie who indicates to a court another as having committed a punishable deed This measure led to chaos, as everyone acted in his own interests while trying to settle scores with personal enemies, leading the consul Fronto to remark that "it was bad to have an emperor under whom nobody was permitted to do anything, but worse to have one under whom everybody was permitted to do everything. Chaos (derived from the Ancient Greek, Chaos) typically refers to Unpredictability, and is the antithesis of Cosmos. "^[20] Early in 97, a conspiracy led by senator Calpurnius Crassus failed, but once again Nerva refused to put the conspirators to death, much to the disapproval of the Senate. ^[37][38]

The situation was further aggravated by the absence of a clear successor, made more pressing because of Nerva's old age and sickness. ^[39] He had no natural children of his own and only distant relatives, who were unsuited for political office. A successor would have to be chosen from among the governors or generals in the Empire and it appears that, by 97, Nerva was considering to adopt Publius Cornelius Nigrinus, the powerful governor of Syria. A Roman governor was an official either elected or appointed to be the chief administrator of Roman law throughout one or more of the many provinces constituting the In Ancient Rome, Adoption of boys was a fairly common procedure particularly in the upper senatorial class Syria ( سوريّة or) officially the Syrian Arab Republic (Arabic ar الجمهورية العربية السورية ^[40] This was covertly opposed by those who supported the more popular military commander Marcus Ulpius Traianus, commonly known as Trajan, a general of the armies at the German frontier. Marcus Ulpius Nerva Traianus, commonly known as Trajan ( September 18 53 &ndash August 9 117) was a Roman Emperor who The Limes Germanicus ( Latin for Germanic frontier) was a remarkable line of frontier ( Limes) forts that bounded the ancient Roman ^[40]

In October 97 these tensions came to a head when the Praetorian Guard, led by Casperius Aelianus, laid siege to the Imperial Palace and took Nerva hostage. Year 97 was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Julian calendar. ^[25] He was forced to submit to their demands, agreeing to hand over those responsible for Domitian's death and even giving a speech thanking the rebellious Praetorians. ^[41] Titus Petronius Secundus and Parthenius, Domitian's former chamberlain, were sought out and killed. Nerva was unharmed in this assault, but his authority was damaged beyond repair. ^[25] He realized that his position was no longer tenable without the support of an heir who had the approval of both the army and the people. ^[35][42] Shortly thereafter he announced the adoption of Trajan as his successor,^[25] and with this decision all but abdicated. Marcus Ulpius Nerva Traianus, commonly known as Trajan ( September 18 53 &ndash August 9 117) was a Roman Emperor who Abdication (from the Latin abdicatio, disowning renouncing from ab, away from and dicare, to declare to proclaim as not belonging to one ^[43][44] Trajan was formally bestowed with the title of Caesar and shared the consulship with Nerva in 98:

Contrary to the view here popularized by Cassius Dio however, Nerva had in fact little choice with regards to his successor. Faced with a major crisis, he desperately needed the support of a man who could restore his damaged reputation. ^[42] The only candidate with sufficient military experience, consular ancestry, and connections was Trajan. ^[35] Likewise, Edward Gibbon's assertion that Nerva hereby established a tradition of succession through adoption among the Five Good Emperors has found little support among modern historians. Edward Gibbon ( April 27, 1737 January 16, 1794) was an English historian and Member of Parliament. The Five Good Emperors is a term that refers to five consecutive emperors of the Roman Empire who represented a line of virtuous and just rule — Nerva, Trajan ^[46]

Death and legacy

Roman aureus struck under Trajan, c. The aureus (pl aurei) was a Gold coin of Ancient Rome valued at 25 silver denarii. 115. The reverse commemorates both Trajan's natural father, Marcus Ulpius Traianus (right), and his adoptive father, the Deified Nerva (left). Marcus Ulpius Traianus Major (about 30 - before 100 ( Latin: Major, "the elder" was a Roman senator who lived in the first century In Ancient Rome, Adoption of boys was a fairly common procedure particularly in the upper senatorial class

On January 1, 98, at the start of his fourth consulship, Nerva suffered a stroke during a private audience. New Year See also New Year The Ancient Romans began their consular year on January 1st since 153 BC Year 98 was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Julian calendar. A stroke is the rapidly developing loss of brain functions due to a disturbance in the blood vessels supplying blood to the brain ^[47] Shortly thereafter he was struck by a fever and died at his villa in the Gardens of Sallust, on January 27. Events 98 - Trajan becomes Roman Emperor after the death of Nerva. ^[48][49] He was deified by the Senate,^[48] and his ashes were laid to rest in the Mausoleum of Augustus. The Mausoleum of Augustus was a large tomb built by the Roman Emperor Augustus in 28 BC on the Campus Martius in Rome. ^[50] Nerva was succeeded without incident by his adopted son Trajan, who was greeted by the Roman populace with much enthusiasm. According to Pliny the Younger, Trajan dedicated a temple in honour of Nerva,^[51] yet no trace of it has ever been found; nor was a commemorative series of coins for the Deified Nerva issued until ten years after his death. Gaius Plinius Caecilius Secundus, born Gaius Caecilius or Gaius Caecilius Cilo (61/63 - ca According to Cassius Dio, however, the Guard prefect responsible for the mutiny against Nerva, Casperius Aelianus, was 'dismissed' upon Trajan's accession. Praetorian prefect (Latin Praefectus praetorio) was the constant title of a high office in the Roman state that changed fundamentally in nature ^[52]

Due to the lack of written sources on this period, much of Nerva's life has remained obscure. The most substantial surviving account of the reign of Nerva was written by the 2nd century historian Cassius Dio. The 2nd century is the period from 101 to 200 in accordance with the Julian calendar in the Christian / Common Era. Lucius Cassius Dio Cocceianus ( Greek:) (c 155 or 163/164 to after 229 known in English as Cassius Dio, Dio Cassius, or Dio was His Roman History, which spans nearly a millennium, from the arrival of Aeneas in Italy until the year 229, was composed more than hundred years after Nerva had died. A millennium (pl millennia) is a period of Time equal to one thousand Years (from Latin la mille, thousand and la annum This article is about the Roman hero For other uses see Aeneas (disambiguation. Further details are added by an abridged biography from the Epitome de Caesaribus, a work alleged to have been authored by the 3rd century historian Aurelius Victor. The 3rd century is the period from 201 to 300 in accordance with the Julian calendar in the Christian / Common Era. Sextus Aurelius Victor (ca 320-ca 390 was an historian and politician of the Roman Empire. A more comprehensive text, presumed to describe the life of Nerva in closer detail, is the Histories, by the contemporary historian Tacitus. Histories ( Latin: Historiae) is a book by Tacitus, written c Publius (or Gaius) Cornelius Tacitus (ca 56 &ndash ca 117 was a senator and a Historian of the Roman Empire. The Histories is an account of the history of Rome covering three decades from the suicide of emperor Nero in 69 until the death of Domitian in 96. Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus ( December 15, 37 – June 9, 68) born Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus, also called 69 (sex position & book by Ryu Murakami are -- already linked by "" with other meanings Year 96 was a Leap year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Julian calendar. Unfortunately, a substantial part of the work has been lost, with only the first five books covering the Year of the Four Emperors remaining. The Year of the Four Emperors was a year in the history of the Roman Empire, AD 69 in which four emperors ruled in a remarkable succession In the introduction to his biography of Gnaeus Julius Agricola however, Tacitus speaks highly of Nerva, describing his reign as "the dawn of a most happy age, [when] Nerva Caesar blended things once irreconcilable, sovereignty and freedom". Gnaeus Julius Agricola ( June 13, 40 &ndash August 23, 93) was a Roman general responsible for much of the Roman conquest of ^[53]

The surviving histories speak equally positive of Nerva's brief reign, although none offer a substantial commentary on his policies. Both Cassius Dio and Aurelius Victor emphasize his wisdom and moderation,^[54][23] with Dio commending his decision to adopt Trajan as his heir. ^[45] These views were later popularized by the 18th century historian Edward Gibbon in his History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire. The 18th century lasted from 1701 to 1800 in the Gregorian calendar, in accordance with the Anno Domini / Common Era numbering system Edward Gibbon ( April 27, 1737 January 16, 1794) was an English historian and Member of Parliament. The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire (known popularly as The History) was written by English Historian Gibbon considered Nerva the first of the Five Good Emperors, five successive rulers under whom the Roman Empire "was governed by absolute power, under the guidance of wisdom and virtue" from 96 until 180. The Five Good Emperors is a term that refers to five consecutive emperors of the Roman Empire who represented a line of virtuous and just rule — Nerva, Trajan Events By place Roman Empire The praetorian prefect Tarutenius Paternus achieved a decisive victory against the Quadi Nevertheless, even Gibbon notes that, compared to his successors, Nerva may have lacked the necessary qualifications for a successful reign:

Nerva as Jupiter. In Roman mythology, Jupiter was the king of the gods and the god of Sky and Thunder. From the Pushkin Museum, Moscow. The Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts (Russian Музей изобразительных искусств им Moscow (Москва́ romanised: Moskvá, IPA: see also other names) is the Capital and the largest city of

Modern history has expanded upon this sentiment, characterizing Nerva as a well-intentioned but weak and ineffectual ruler. The Roman Senate enjoyed renewed liberties under his rule, but Nerva's mismanagement of the state finances and lack of authority over the army ultimately brought Rome near the edge of a significant crisis. ^[26] The mutiny led by Casperius Aelianus was never intended as a coup, but a calculated attempt to put pressure on the emperor. ^[35] The adoption of Trajan expanded his power base with a respected, reliable general as his successor. Murison concludes that Nerva's real talents were in fact ill-suited to the emperorship:

His place in Roman history is therefore summarized as a necessary, if tumultuous stop-gap before the Trajanic-Antonine dynasties. ^[17] It is a fact of irony that even the only major public work completed during his reign, the Forum of Nerva, ultimately became known as the Forum Transitorium, or transitional forum. Irony is a literary or Rhetorical device, in which there is an incongruity or Discordance between what one says or does and what one means or ^[57]

Today statues which commemorate Nerva can be found at Gloucester, England at the entrance to Southgate Street, and at his alleged birthplace Narni in Italy, at Cocceio Nerva street. Gloucester (ˈɡlɒstɚ) is a city, district and County town of Gloucestershire in the South West region of England. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located Narni is an ancient hilltown and Comune of Umbria in central Italy, with 20100 inhabitants according to the 2003 census at altitude 240 m (787 ft Italy (Italia officially the Italian Republic, (Repubblica Italiana is located on the Italian Peninsula in Southern Europe, and on the two largest ^[58][59]

Notes

References

• Murison, Charles Leslie (2003). "M. Cocceius Nerva and the Flavians" (subscription required). Transactions of the American Philological Association 133 (1): pp. 147–157.  
• Syme, Ronald (1930). Sir Ronald Syme OM ( 11 March, 1903 &ndash 4 September, 1989) New Zealand -born Historian, was an eminent "The Imperial Finances under Domitian, Nerva and Trajan". The Journal of Roman Studies 20: pp. 55–70.  

Further reading

• Grainger, John D. (2003). Nerva and the Roman Succession Crisis of AD 96–99. London: Routledge. ISBN 0-415-28917-3.  
• Jones, Brian W. (1992). The Emperor Domitian. London: Routledge. ISBN 0-415-04229-1.  
• Syme, Ronald (1958). Sir Ronald Syme OM ( 11 March, 1903 &ndash 4 September, 1989) New Zealand -born Historian, was an eminent Tacitus. Oxford: Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-814327-3.  
• Syme, Ronald (1983). "Domitian: The Last Years". Chiron 13: 121–146.  

External links

Primary sources

• Cassius Dio, Roman History Book 68, English translation
• Aurelius Victor (attrib.), Epitome de Caesaribus Chapter 12, English translation

Secondary material

• Narnia web links, International links', International links from Narnia. it web site
• Wend, David (1998). Nerva (96-98 A.D.). De Imperatoribus Romanis. Retrieved on 2007-08-11. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 2492 BC - Traditional date of the defeat of Bel by Hayk, progenitor and founder of the Armenian nation