Nerva

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Roman emperor ad 96–8, the first of a succession of rulers traditionally known as the Five Good Emperors. A member of a distinguished senatorial family, Nerva was distantly related by marriage to the Julio-Claudian house and had been twice consul (ad 71 and 90) when, on the assassination of the emperor Domitian, he became emperor.

Nerva (Marcus Cocceius Nerva) (nûr'və), c.A.D. 30-A.D. 98, Roman emperor (A.D. 96-A.D. 98). He had an honorable career as a statesman at Rome, and his reputation was blameless. At the death of Domitian he was chosen emperor by the senate in a strong movement toward constitutionalism and senatorial influence and away from hereditary succession. Nerva, a kind, paternal figure, reformed the land laws in favor of the poor, revised taxation, and tolerated the Christians. His greatest achievement was to adopt Trajan and name him as successor. This assured an orderly transfer of power when Nerva died after fifteen months in office.

Bibliography

See B. W. Henderson, Five Roman Emperors (1927).

IN BRIEF: n. - Emperor of Rome who introduced a degree of freedom after the repressive reign of Domitian.

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