View attachment 1718003 Nerva, born in 30 AD, occupied a very interesting time period during the early Roman Empire. While only having a brief reign of 16 months spanning 96-98 AD (he died of natural causes in Jan. 98 AD. at the age of 67), he had great influence over many emperors during his lifetime. Initially was a trusted political advisor to Nero and uncovered a plot to assasinate him. He later supported Vespasian during the chaotic year of the four emperors for which he was rewarded with joint consulship in 71. He served as a trusted advisor to Vespasian's son Titus who himself ruled from 79-81. Once Titus died of a severe illness, possibly milaria on Sept. 13th of 81, his brother Domitian took over and Nerva served Domitian as a faithful advisor for many years. Towards the end their relationship allegedly went south as Domitian became paranoid of everyone. It was thought at the time that Domitian wanted to have Nerva assasinated, but Domitian himself ended up getting assassinated and Nerva took over the next day as emperor. Whether or not he was behind it nobody knows. At the end of his brief reign, having no children of his own, he decided to choose Trajan to secure the throne and prevent Civil war as he was a very popular, well known general at the time. Towards the end in 97, Nerva chose to adopt Hadrian with Trajan acting as Hadrian's legal guardian setting up a peaceful succession for the next 40 years. If he would have written a book it for sure would have been a best seller.
