Marcus Cocceius Nerva, was a roman emperor who ruled from 96 to 98 A.D. He was born
on November 8th in the year 30 A.D in Navia, Umbria. He was descended from a family of
senatorial origins, having history with the previous emperors. Nerva’s great grandfather
was consul during the year 36 B.C, and Governor of Asia in the same year. Nerva’s mother
was the great granddaughter of Tiberius, therefore he had connections to the Julio-
Claudian line.
Nerva did not seek to hold any military or public speaking career during his early life. “He
was praetor-elect in the year 65 and, like his ancestors, moved in imperial circles as a
skilled diplomat and strategist. ” Nerva’s was and advisor to emperor Nero, he successfully
uncovered the Pisonian conspiracy of 65 against the emperor. As a result, Nero rewarded
Nerva by giving him triumphal honors and the right of placing his statues all over the
imperial place. After the year 71, he presumably worked as an advisor to emperor
Vespasian (69–79) and his sons Titus (79–81) and Domitian (81–96).
Nerva was elected emperor by the senate upon the assassination of Domitian in 96 A.D.
Despite he was emperor only for two years he did many accomplishments and
improvements. Nerva disagreed with many of Domitian’s acts and decisions. He did not
want to live in Domitian’s extravagant new palace and lived in a more modest settlement.
Nerva also swore an oath declaring that he would not ever kill, or harm, any member of the
Senate. The new emperor also released prisoners who were not guilty of any serious
crimes.
Marcus Ulpius Traianus was born on September 18th in the year 56 AD in the Roman
province of Hispania Baetica, in what is now the region of Andalusia in modern Spain.
This was a province that was methodically Romanized and was called southern Hispania.
Since Trajan was born in Spain, he was the first non Italian emperor to come into the
office. It is very little known of Trajan’s mother but it is known that his father was a very
important and highly respected man since he was a senator and general from the gens
Ulpia.
Trajan’s career advanced during Nerva’s government. Trajan demonstrated that he was
capable to be a good general; this ability of being able to be a good leader caught Nerva’s
attention and thought of Trajan as possible successor. Nerva was looking for a strong and
