Nerva

myminifactory

Nerva, whose birth name was Marcus Cocceius Nerva Caesar Augustus, lived from November 8, 30 AD until January 27, 98 AD. Born into a life of imperial service under Nero and the Flavian dynasty, Nerva rose to the rank of Roman Emperor at the age of sixty-five in 96 AD. His ascension was marked by his involvement in exposing the Pisonian conspiracy of 65 AD while serving under Nero, as well as his later consulships in 71 AD and 90 AD during the reigns of Vespasian and Domitian respectively. The assassination of Domitian on September 18, 96 AD sparked a chain of events that led to Nerva's sudden elevation to Emperor by the Roman Senate. This marked the first time in history that the Senate directly elected a Roman Emperor. As the newly appointed ruler, Nerva vowed to restore liberties eroded during Domitian's autocratic rule. Nerva's fifteen-month reign was marred by financial struggles and his inability to assert control over the Roman army. A Praetorian Guard revolt in October 97 AD forced him to adopt an heir, leading him to select Trajan, a popular young general, as his successor after some deliberation. Upon Nerva's death from natural causes on January 27, 98 AD, he was succeeded and deified by Trajan. While much of Nerva's life remains shrouded in mystery, ancient historians regarded him as a wise and moderate Emperor. His greatest achievement lies in ensuring a peaceful transfer of power following his death, thus laying the foundation for the Nerva-Antonine dynasty.