Life of Emperor Nerva #12 First of the Best Emperors

Summary

Emperor Nerva, the first of the 'Five Good Emperors,' was a respected senator but faced challenges as a ruler due to his lack of military experience and health issues. Despite his efforts to win public favor with financial handouts and tax cancellations, his reign was marked by tension with the Roman legions. His refusal to execute Domitian's assassins led to a crisis, forcing him to adopt Trajan as his successor. Nerva's reign is seen as a transitional period between the Flavians and the prosperous rule of Trajan.

Takeaways

• 👴 Nerva was the first of the 'Five Good Emperors' of Rome, known for his senatorial background and respect within the political sphere.
• 🏛️ Despite his family's close ties to imperial power and his own significant contributions, such as uncovering the Pisonian conspiracy, Nerva never gained the respect of the army.
• 👶 Born in 30 AD, Nerva came from a respected family with a history of senators and close connections to emperors like Tiberius and Nero.
• 🤝 Nerva's political survival was remarkable, navigating through various emperors and political turmoil, including the 'Year of the Four Emperors'.
• 👑 His ascension to the throne was met with public ambivalence due to his old age, poor health, and lack of military experience.
• 💰 To win public favor, Nerva introduced measures such as cash handouts to citizens, donations to the Praetorian Guard, and the cancellation of additional taxes on Jews.
• ⚔️ The Roman legions disapproved of Nerva due to his lack of military background, leading to immediate anger and tension after Domitian's assassination.
• 🏰 A crisis in October 97 AD saw Nerva besieged in the Imperial Palace by the Praetorian Guard, who forced him to execute conspirators against him, damaging his authority.
• 🔄 In response to the crisis, Nerva adopted Trajan as his son and successor, a move that may have been influenced by the Praetorians' actions.
• 🌟 Nerva's reign, though marked by challenges and a transitional nature, laid the groundwork for the prosperous rule of Trajan and the subsequent 'Century of Good Rule' in the Roman Empire.

Q & A

Who was Nerva known as in Roman history?

Nerva was known as the first of the five 'Good Emperors' in Roman history.

What was Nerva's relationship with the Roman army?

Nerva was a well-respected senator but never managed to win the respect of the Roman army, which was a significant factor in his rule.

What significant event did Nerva play a role in during Emperor Nero's reign?

Nerva was instrumental in uncovering the Pisonian conspiracy against Emperor Nero in 65 AD, which earned him Nero's gratitude.

How did Nerva's family background influence his political career?

Nerva came from a respected family with close ties to imperial power, which provided him with connections to several emperors and a consulship.

Why was Nerva's ascension to the throne met with ambivalence by the public?

Nerva's ascension was met with ambivalence because he was an old man in his 60s, in poor health, and had no military experience or children.

What measures did Nerva introduce to win over the public after becoming emperor?

Nerva granted citizens a cash handout, made a traditional donation to the Praetorian Guard, canceled the additional taxation of the Jews, and ended the treason trials of Domitian's reign.

How did the Roman armies react to the news of Domitian's assassination and Nerva's ascension?

The Roman armies on the Danube and Rhine frontiers reacted with anger and tension to the news, as they had liked Domitian, leading to a crisis of legitimacy for Nerva.

What event in October of 97 escalated tensions during Nerva's reign?

Tensions escalated into a crisis in October of 97 due to Nerva's reluctance to deal with conspirators and the absence of a clear successor, leading to a siege of the Imperial Palace by the Praetorian Guard.

Who did Nerva adopt as his son and successor, and why was he an excellent candidate?

Nerva adopted Trajan as his son and successor. Trajan was an excellent candidate due to his military merit, having been an ex consul, and was granted the consulship with Nerva the following year.

What was the ultimate fate of Nerva, and how was he remembered in the Roman Empire?

Nerva suffered a stroke and died in January 98. He was deified by the Senate, and his reign is remembered as a transitional period between the Flavians and the rule of Trajan, leading to a century of good rule in the Roman Empire.