12 NERVA (67; r.96-98)
Nerva’s rule was inherently weak since he was elderly, infirm, without a son to create a dynasty, and facing the hostility of the army, particularly the praetorians, who had benefited from the rule of Domitian and were angered by his assassination.
Domitian’s treatment of the Senate in the last three years of his reign led some to call for revenge, but others had been close to Domitian and had used their influence to harm their enemies. Nerva sought to institute an amnesty with those who had suffered were to end the factional fighting and those who had served under Domitian were to keep their positions.
In 97 Nerva’s fragile consensus broke down when the praetorians besieged the palace and demanded the conspirators be punished. Friends and associates of Nerva were butchered and Nerva himself was compelled to give public thanks to the soldiers for serving justice by killing such vile criminals. This humiliation convinced Nerva that to avoid civil war and restore his power he had to secure the succession. Passing over his own relatives, Nerva adopted 02Ulpius Traianus (63; fl.89-117), the governor of Germania Superior, as his co-ruler and successor. Traianus (anglicised as Trajan), having a distinguished military reputation and recognized as an advocate of justice and moderation, commanded loyalty from the legions and had the respect of the Senate. When Nerva died three months later, Trajan succeeded peacefully.
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