Biography of Marcus Cocceius Nerva, First of the Good Emperors of Rome

Thank you, my friend SGT (Join to see) for making us aware that January 27, 98, Trajan became Roman Emperor after the death of Marcus Cocceius Nerva.

Emperors of Rome: Nerva
The Emperors of Rome podcast looks at the achievements of Rome's emperors.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qH5Nb4kh40I


Images:
1. Marcus Cocceius Nerva A.D 96-98 summary of his rule
2. Marcus Cocceius Nerva Caesar Augustus, 8 November 30 – 27 January 98. Statue with view of the Trajan Markets.
3. Marcus Cocceius Nerva, Roman Emperor 96-98 AD in Copenhagen Aug 2006 photo by Brian J. McMorrow
4. Marcus Cocceius Nerva as Jupiter_pushkin

Boiographies:
1. ancient.eu/Nerva/
2. rome.us/roman-emperors/nerva.html

1. Background from [https://www.ancient.eu/Nerva/]
"Nerva
Definition by Donald L. Wasson published on 17 April 2013
Marcus Cocceius Nerva was Roman emperor from 96 to 98 CE, and his reign brought stability after the turbulent successions of his predecessors. In addition, Nerva helped establish the foundations for a new golden era for Rome which his chosen successor Trajan would bring to full fruition.

THE End of the FLAVIAN DYNASTY
The assassination of the Roman emperor Domitian (r. 81-96 CE) brought an end to the short-lived Flavian Dynasty, a dynasty started by his father Vespasian (r. 69-79 CE), in the year of the four emperors, 69 CE. Since Domitian left no surviving heirs, the throne of the empire was left vacant. In order to avoid possible civil unrest, violence, or a civil war, a temporary or quick fix appointment was necessary, at least until a better candidate could be found. The answer to the problem came in the form of a man already ill and old even by Roman standards, Nerva.
Nerva was an ideal candidate, one who presented a sharp contrast to his predecessor. Domitian had not been groomed to become an emperor, as his older brother Titus (r. 79-81 CE) had been. However, the sudden death of Titus brought Domitian to the throne. Although he proved himself a capable administrator, he saw the role of the emperor as one vested with absolute power and the Senate was all but stripped of its authority. While he did not neglect the welfare of the empire, he executed or exiled those who opposed him. Near the end of his reign, after an assassination plot failed, paranoia seized the emperor, causing him to rely heavily on informers. This paranoid behaviour led to cruelty and executions, a real “reign of terror.” And it also led to his death.
The sudden appointment of someone with no ties to the throne caused many to question why the relatively obscure Nerva had been chosen. According to the historian Suetonius, Nerva had “debauched” Domitian in his youth, but this was only imperial palace gossip. There was speculation that he had been approached by the conspirators in Domitian’s death, although there was little evidence to support these claims. Possibly he had accepted the throne to save his own life because he was in danger of facing treason charges by the former emperor and faced exile.

Nerva Rises to Power
The new emperor was born on November 8, 35 CE in the small town of Narnia in Umbria, 50 miles north of Rome. He came from a distinguished Roman family - his father was a wealthy lawyer, his grandfather had been a member of the imperial entourage at the time of Nerva’s birth, his great-grandfather had been a consul in 36 BCE, and his aunt was the great-granddaughter of Emperor Tiberius. He had held a number of official positions under various emperors during both the Julio-Claudian and Flavian dynasties, helping Emperor Nero suppress the Piso Conspiracy in 65 CE (receiving special honours, the ornamenta triumphalia) and serving as co-consul under both Vespasian and Domitian. Because of the lyric pieces he penned, Nero even recognized him as the Tibullus of his age. Unrelated to anybody before him by either marriage or blood, his ascension would usher in an era English historian Edward Gibbons called “The Five Good Emperors”- Nerva, Trajan, Hadrian, Antoninus Pius and Marcus Aurelius. It would be a time of relative peace and stability; unfortunately, it was followed by one of weak emperors and insecurity.
Although the army would be the only ones to mourn Domitian’s death, the Roman Senate, who had tired of Domitian’s tyranny, welcomed Nerva, quickly recognizing him as emperor on September 18, 96 CE; they even granted him the title of pater patriae or “father of the country.” The general populace also seemed to welcome him, sensing a release from the harsh rule of Domitian; however, the first few months of his reign were troubled ones - statues of Domitian were destroyed and ceremonial arches were toppled. Nerva executed many of Domitian’s informers and granted amnesty (returned seized property as well) to those who had been exiled. According to Cassius Dio, he “put to death all the slaves and freedmen who has conspired against their masters.” And, as it was the practice of all newly named emperors, he promised not to execute any senators. Eventually, “a sense of euphoria” returned to the empire; justice had been restored.

Opposition
While the citizenry and the Senate welcomed the new emperor, there remained many who overlooked Domitian’s cruelty and sought revenge for his death, particularly, the army (more specifically the Praetorian Guard). He had given them the only pay raise they had received since Emperor Augustus. In 97 CE a mutiny of the Praetorian Guard occurred under the leadership of their commander, Casperius Aelianus. They imprisoned Nerva in the imperial palace, demanding the release into their custody of Petronius and Parthenius, two of the men responsible for Domitian’s death. Nerva resisted, offering his own neck to slit, but this gesture was ignored, and the conspirators were seized and executed - Petronius was killed by a single-sword blow while Parthenius had his throat slit after his genitals were cut off and stuffed into his mouth. Although unharmed, the incident not only damaged Nerva’s authority - one cannot rule without the support of the military - but left him visibly shaken (he even thought about abdicating), making him question not only his own possible death but also who would succeed him.
Without an heir of his own (there’s no evidence that he ever married), he realized his only option was adoption, and he chose as his “son” Marcus Ulpius Traianus, Trajan (r. 98-117 CE), the governor of Upper Germany. The adoption took place in a public ceremony in October of 97 CE (Trajan was not present). It should be noted that Nerva had been the one who had appointed him as governor of Upper Germany, and since Nerva knew little about foreign affairs and lacked any military experience, the appointment of Trajan was made not only to provide an heir but to secure the northern provinces.

Legacy
Nerva’s limited political experience demonstrated to those around him that he lacked decisiveness and originality. Yet, despite his relatively short reign of only sixteen months and his tendency to consult the Senate on all policy-making decisions, he did much to stabilize the empire. He dedicated a new forum that had been begun by Domitian - named in his honour, Forum Nervae. Although some claim his reforms were only to gain popularity, he repaired roads and aqueducts, built granaries, repaired the Colosseum after the Tiber flooded, allotted land to the poor, relaxed a Jewish tax enacted by Vespasian, ordered a reduction in the number of public games, and tightened the purse strings - the latter was an attempt to balance the budget.
Nerva was far from a typical emperor, forsaking the imperial palace, choosing to live in Vespasian’s old residence. His adoption of Trajan enabled him to live the remainder of his life in peace. He reportedly said, “I have done nothing that would prevent me laying down the imperial office and returning to private life in safety.” On January 28, 98 CE Nerva died, and on Trajan’s orders was laid to rest in the Mausoleum of Augustus; an eclipse of the sun appeared on the day of his burial. His ascension to the throne and adoption of Trajan initiated a series of adopted successors and Trajan would bring about a golden age throughout the empire."

2. Background from [https://rome.us/roman-emperors/nerva.html]
Emperor Nerva

Marcus Cocceius Nerva was Roman emperor from 96 to 98 AD. His reign brought stability to the ancient Roman Empire in compare to his predecessors. The emperor helped establish the foundations for a new golden era for Rome. He had at least one attested sister, Cocceia, who married Lucius Slavius Titanus Otho, the brother of the emperor Otho. Moreover, he was a member of the Italian nobility. All direct ancestors of Nerva were associated with imperial circles from the time of the first Emperor Augustus. In addition, the great-grandfather of emperor was Consul and Governor of Asia in 36 BC.

Early Life
Nerva was born in the village of Narni, located nearby Rome. He was the son of Marcus Cocceius Nerva, Suffect Consul during the rule of Caligula, and Sergia Plautilla. He had at least one attested sister, Cocceia, and belonged to the Italian nobility. The Cocceii were among the most popular political families of the late Republic and early Empire. Moreover, representatives of this family got consulships in each successive generation.

Imperial Service
There are not that many records left about Nerva’s life. He wasn’t pursuing the usual administrative or military career. First, he served as praetor-elect in 65 AD, was a talented diplomat and strategist. Importantly, Nerva was an advisor to Emperor Nero and helped to detect and expose the Pisonian conspiracy of 65 AD. His services must have been important, since he earned many rewards ad received triumphal honors, which was usually reserved for military victories and gave him the right to have his statues placed throughout the palace.
Interestingly, Nerva was friend of emperor Vespasian and most probably watched over his youngest son Domitian when Vespasian departed for the Jewish war in 67 AD. The suicide of Nero in 68 AD brought the Julio-Claudian dynasty to an end and led to the Year of the Four Emperors, where the rise and fall of the emperors Galba, Otho and Vitellus happened, until the Vespasians reign starting from 21 December in 69 AD. There is not much information about doings of Nerva during 69 AD, but despite the fact that Otho was his brother-in-law, he appears to have been one of the strongest supporters of the Flavian dynasty.
Nerva was rewarded with a consulship early in Vespasian’s leadership in 71 AD
Thus, he became one of the few non-Flavians who were honoured under Vespasian. After 71 AD Nerva disappeared from the historical record again, but most probably he continued his career as an inconspicuous advisor under Vespasian and his sons Titus and Domitian. In 89 AD, the revolt of Saturninus happened where the governor of Germania Superior, Lucius Antonius Saturnius, and his two legions at Mainz, Legio XIV Gemina and Legio XXI Rapax revolted against the Roman Empire. This rebelliom was crushed in 24 days with all leaders at Mainz punished. The following year was notable for the new revolt by Domitian, where Nerva got the consulship. The revolt had been suppressed, while the Empire could come back to order.

Emperor
Emperor Domitian was assassianted in a palace conspiracy organized by court officials in 96 AD. At the same day, Nerva became proclaimed a new Emperor by the Senate. The choice was unusual, Nerva did not have children and spent much of his career out of the public vision. Moreover, it is still not clear if Nerva was somehow connected to the assassination of emperor Domitian. Both modern and ancient authors assume that he was involved in it since the conspirators approached Nerva as a potential successor prior to the assassination, thus, he knew about the situation in advance. However, following the historical facts, Nerva was proclaimed Emperor only on the initiative of the Senate right after the assassination.
When Nerva became an Emperor, he did not have children, was old and had a weak health, but for these reasons making him a ruler was considered a safe choice
Also, Nerva had tight relationships with the Flavian dynasty and was respected by the Senate representatives. The emperor avoided civil conflicts, thus, by choosing him, the Senate expected to avoid civil war again. After the death of Domitian, all his coins and statues were melted and arches torn down. Moreover, his name was erased from all public records. All existing portraits of Domitian were carved to make the likeness of Nerva. The palace erected by Domitian on the Palatine Hill, the Flavian Palace, was renamed the “House of the People”, while Nerva was living in Vespasian’s former villa in the Gardens of Sallust.

Changes
The change of government was positive sign for the senators, who had been persecuted during Domitian’s rule. At the beginning of reign, Nerva publicly swore that no senators would be put to death again. He finished trials based on treason and released imprisoners under these charges. Moreover, the new emperor promised amnesty to those, who had been exiled.
All properties once confisticated by Domitian were returned to its owners
Nerva relied so much on friends and advisors whom he trusted. Since the emperor was chosen on the initiative of the Senate, he had to gain support among the Roman citizens, so a “congiarium” of 75 denarii per person was gifted upon the populace and the soldiers of the Praetorian guard received a donativum of about 5000 denarii per person. So the economic reform were made, where the most needy Roman families became free of taxation. Nerva exempted parents and their children from a 5% inheritance tax, so that many taxes were remitted and Roman provinces received new privileges.
Nerva abolished abuses of the “Fiscus Iudacius,” the additional tax for Jews during the time of the Roman Empire

Public Works
However, since Nerva reigned only for 15 months, his public works were few. The emperor repaired the Roman road system and made the expansion of the aqueducts. Several constructions created under him were a granary, known as the Horrea Nervae, and an Imperial Forum which was begun by Domitian.
Nerva’s expenses influenced the economy of Rome and instead of religious sacrifices, games and horse races he created a new way of income, which was generated from Domitian’s former possessions. Among them were the auctioning of ships, estates and other belongings. Also, sufficient amounts of money were gathered from Domitian’s silver and gold statues.

Crisis of Succession
Despite the fact that Nerva made a lot of efforts to stay popular with the Senate and the Roman populace, there was a strong support for Domitian in the army. The Praetorians considered the measures of Nerva unsufficient and demanded the execution of Domitian’s assassins, which the emperor refused. This misunderstanding led to the gravest crisis of Nerva’s reign. Nerva stopped the trason trials, but allowed the prosecution of informers by the Senate, which led to chaos. Everyone started to act in his own interests agains personal enemies. The situation seemed even more difficult since there was no direct successor and Nerva was old and weak.

Adoption
Since Nerva did not have children, he realized that his only option was adoption. He chose as his son Marcus Ulpius Traianus, known as Trajan, who was the governor of Upper Germany. The adoption took place on the public ceremony in 97 AD. Nerva lacked any military experience and didn’t know much about foreign affairs, so the choice of Trajan was made with aim to provide an heir and to secure the northern provinces.
Interesting Facts
1. Nerva was a representative of Italian nobility, but his family did not belong to the Roman elite
2. He had close relationships with representatives of the Flavian dynasty
3. When he became an emperor, he was old and weak
4. Nerva ruled only for 15 months
5. He established the foundations for a new golden era for Rome
6. Nerva did not have any children
7. In compare to other emperors, there are not that much historical facts about Nerva
8. Nerva adopted Trajan, who became the next emperor after his death
9. He didn’t know much about foreign affairs and lacked any military experience
10. The Praetorians demanded the execution of Domitian’s assassins, which Nerva refused
Death
At the start of the fourth consulship in 98 AD, Nerva suffered a stroke during a private audience. Shortly after it happened, he got a fever and died in his villa in the Gardens of Sallust, on January, 28. His ashes were laid in the Mausoleum of Augustus. Nerva was succeeded by his adopted son Trajan, who was welcomed by the Roman citizens more positively.
• Cassius Dio. Roman History.
• Cook, S. A. ed. The Cambridge Ancient History. (Cambridge University Press, 1969)
• Grainger, J.D. Nerva and the Roman Succession Crisis of AD 96 - 99. (Rutledge, 2003)
• Hill, D. Ancient Rome: From the Republic to the Empire. (Parragon Books, 2007)
• Suetonius. The Twelve Caesars."

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Thank you, David, for posting this historical look at Marcus Nerva, a true visionary and peacemaker in Rome following years of chaos and treachery in that city.
Have a great day, brother!

Great share brother David, thank you.