Nerva
1.
Marcus, the grandfather of the emperor Nerva. He
was consul in A.D. 22, and starved himself to death in the year 33. He was a famous lawyer,
and is often cited in the
Digest. He also had charge of the public works under
Tiberius, and originated the tunnel (Grotta di Posilipo) near Naples.
2.
Marcus, the son of the preceding and father of the
emperor. He won distinction as a jurist, and is quoted in Gaius and the Digest under the name
of Filius. Nerva
3.
Marcus Coccēius. The thirteenth Roman emperor, was born
at Narnia, in Umbria, A.D. 27 according to Eutropius (viii. 1), or A.D. 32 according to Dio
Cassius (lxviii. 4). His family originally came from Crete; but several of his ancestors rose
to the highest honours of the Roman State. His grandfather, Cocceius Nerva, who was consul
A.D. 22, and a great favourite of the emperor Tiberius, was one of the most celebrated
jurists of his age. Nerva is first mentioned in history as a favourite of Nero, who bestowed
upon him triumphal honours, A.D. 66, when he was praetor elect. The poetry of Nerva , which
is mentioned with praise by Pliny and Martial, appears to have recommended him to Nero; and
he was employed in offices of trust and honour during the reigns of Vespasian and Titus,
though he incurred the suspicion of Domitian, who banished him to Tarentum. On the
assassination of Domitian, A.D. 96, Nerva succeeded to the sovereign power, through the
influence of Petronius Secundus, commander of the praetorian cohorts, and of Parthenius, the
chamberlain of the palace.
The mild and equitable administration of Nerva is acknowledged and praised by all ancient
writers, and forms a striking contrast to the bloody reign of his predecessor. He discouraged
informers, recalled the exiles from banishment, relieved the people from some oppressive
taxes, and tolerated the Christians. Many instances of his liberality and clemency are
recorded by the younger Pliny ; he allowed no senator to be put to death during his reign;
and he practised the greatest economy, in order to relieve the wants of the poorer citizens.
But his impartial administration of justice met with little favour from the Praetorian Guard,
![](http://images.perseus.tufts.edu/images/thumbs/1999.04.1/1999.04.0062.fig01091) |
Nerva. (Bust in the Vatican.)
|
which had been allowed by Domitian to indulge in excesses of every kind. Enraged at
the loss of their benefactor and favourite, they compelled Nerva to deliver into their hands
Parthenius and their own commander Petronius, both of whom they put to death. The excesses of
his guards convinced Nerva that the government of the Roman Empire required greater energy
both of body and mind than he possessed, and he accordingly adopted Trajan as his successor,
and associated him with himself in the sovereignty. Nerva died A.D. 98, after a reign of
sixteen months and nine days. His life is sketched by Suetonius.