Who was Nerva?
Q: Who was Nerva?
A: Nerva was a Roman Emperor from 96 to 98. He was sixty-five years old when he became emperor, and had previously served under Nero and the Flavian dynasty.
Q: What role did Nerva play in exposing the Pisonian conspiracy of 65?
A: Under Nero, Nerva was a member of the imperial team and played a vital part in exposing the Pisonian conspiracy of 65.
Q: How did Nerva become emperor?
A: On 18 September 96, Domitian was assassinated in a palace conspiracy and on the same day, Nerva was declared emperor by the Roman Senate.
Q: What did Nerva vow to do as ruler of the Roman Empire?
A: As ruler of the Roman Empire, he vowed to restore liberties which had been cut during the autocratic government of Domitian.
Q: Why is his reign considered marred by financial difficulties and inability to assert authority over the army?
A: His brief reign was marred by financial difficulties and his inability to assert his authority over the Roman army due to lack of resources or support from other officials.
Q: Who did Nerva adopt as his successor?
A: After some deliberation, he adopted Trajan, a young and popular general, as his successor.
Q: How has recent historians' assessment of him changed compared to ancient historians'?
A: Recent historians have revised their assessment of him from wise and moderate emperor according to ancient historians', to well-intentioned but ultimately weak ruler whose reign brought Rome close to civil war.
