Nerva

Marcus Cocceius Nerva, (AD 35 - 98) Roman emperor from AD 96 - 98, was, like Vespasian the founder of the Flavian dynasty, from the Italian nobility rather than from the city of Rome. He was born in Narnia in Etruria, to the north of Rome, on November 8, AD 35. He was the last emperor who was Italian both by family and by birth. Nerva had not pursued the usual administrative career, but had been consul with Vespasian in 71 and with Domitian in 90.

After Domitian's assassination in 96 following his reign of terror, Nerva proceeded to set a new tone. Elevated to emperor on September 18, 96, he released those imprisoned for treason, banned future prosecutions for treason, restored much confiscated property, and involved the Senate in his rule.

Nerva may have been approached by the conspirators against Domitian because he was elderly (61) and childless. He adopted Trajan, already a commander of the armies on the German frontier, in the face of rising difficulties in administering the empire.

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Preceded by: Domitian (81 - 96)

Roman emperors

Followed by: Trajan (98 - 117)

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NERVA is also an acronym for Nuclear Engine for Rocket Vehicle Application, part of a NASA project to produce a nuclear thermal rocket engine. See spacecraft propulsion.