Who was Roman Emperor Nerva?

Marcus Cocceius Nerva was born on 8 November 30 (his year of birth was
disputed) in the village of Narni, 50 kilometres north of Rome. 

Family

He was the son of Marcus Cocceius Nerva, who was consul during the reign
of Caligula and Sergia Plutilla. 

Nerva was a member of the Italian nobility rather than one of the elite of 
Rome. However the Cocceii were among the most esteemed and prominent
political families of the late Republic and the early Empire. 

Emperor

Not much was known of Nerva before he became an Emperor. However on 
18 September 96, Domitian was assassinated and the same day the Senate
proclaimed Marcus Cocceius Nerva emperor. This was a remarkable choice.

Nerva was old and childless and spent much of his career out of the public
light. 

Nerva was considered a safe choice precisely because he was old and childless.
Furthermore he had close connections with the Flavian dynasty and he had 
gained respect from the Senate. 

Duty

Nerva publicly swore that no senators would be put to death as long as he 
remained in office. All properties which had been confiscated by Domitian were
returned to their respective families. 

To the poorest Nerva granted allotments of land. He exempted parents and
children from a 5% inheritance tax. 

When time went by, Nerva became not popular in the army, so he decided to
adopt Trajan.

Death

On 1 January 98, Nerva suffered a stroke during a private audience. Thereafter
he was struck by a fever and he died at his villa in the Gardens of Sallust on
28 January. He was laid to rest in the Mausoleum of Augustus. 

Nerva was succeeded by his adopted son Trajan who was greeted by the Roman
populace with much more enthusiasm. 

Public building works

Nerva had reigned only briefly so only a few building works started in 
Domitian's reign were finished. 

Inter alia Imperial Forum of Rome. 

Source pictures: Wikipedia