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 p