The five good Emperors (96 to 169 AD) Golden Years of Rome

[Frederich Barbarossa]

I was reading the `15 roman emperors´ thread, and was ashamed. How can you write so little of Trajan. And so I made a Thread dedicated to the five good Emperors... Not those pedophiles you call Emperors, like Caligula and Nero...

(this is not an emperor) (That is a real Emperor)

Let us start...




Marcus Cocceius Nerva (8 November 30 AD- 25 January 98 AD) who only ruled for 2 years from 96 until 98 AD, was and is still considered however to be a well-intentioned ruler in the Roman throne even though he is considered a weak ruler, because he nearly brought the empire into a state of civil war, but is often credited for bringing his adoptive son, the famous `Trajan´ as his successor after his death. He lived mostly all of his life during the Nero and Flavian Dynasties. He was an imperial entourage and responsible for exposing the Pisonian conspiracy. He attained consulships mostly during the Flavian dynasty, where as he was generally a loyalist to them. On september 18, 96 AD, Domitian was assassinated by a conspiracy, created by his own Praetorians, and due to this, Nerva was established as Roman Emperor by the Roman Senate on 96 AD. In a revolt by the Praetorians, he was forced to adopt the popular Trajan as his heir, and after 15 months in office, died of natural causes. He is known for not being able to assurt authority over the Roman Army, and have financial trouble, but he is generally seen by both Ancient and Modern Historians, as a moderate, and wise ruler, taking such bold descisions that would help reform an Empire, and expand it. His best success, was to adopt Trajan, and assurt a peaceful transition of power, in later years to come. He was deified by Trajan, meaning he was made a God.

He was also known as to helping the Roman Citizens in relieving them with more liberty then the Domitian autocratic reign. He was known as relieving the senate of the terrors of Domitian, and did so many things, such as stop the executions of senators, release all prisoners, encaged based on trials for treason, and allowed amnesty with exhiled citizens. Nerva was also known for unleashing economic reforms, that would allow lower taxes for poor citizens, and at the start of his reign, was reported to have given free payments to his Praetorians, and fellow citizens. He unleashed a plan for landowners to pay 5% interest so that the money could go to needy families, and children. He was however continuing to relie on family and friends, and thus also on the pro Domitianic faction which may be the reason as to why conspiracies were placed on his life during his throne. Economy fell, due to Nerva´s massive expendures, though he sold many statues, ships, and estates of the late Domitian. Finally, he was known to have abolished horse racing, roman sacrifices, and games, which is where income came from selling Domitians estates, ships, and estates. He is known also for completing aqueducts, major roads linking the empire, and a small Imperial forum, he errected, that was started by Domitian.

In conclusion Nervas reign was marked, by a moderate, and free leader, who literally was beloved by his fellow citizens, and was widely seen, as a kind but sadly weak man when it came to his army. This demonstrates, how unwilling he was, to be autocratic, and terrible, which is truely admirable...



Birthplace Narni
Place of Death Gardens of Sullust, Rome
Burial Site Mausoleum of Augustus, Rome
Born 8 November 30 AD
Death 25 January 98 AD
Reign September 18 96- January 25 98 AD
Full Name Marcus Cocceius Nerva Ceaser Augustus
Father Marcus Cocceius Nerva
Mother Sergia Plautilla
Predecesser Domitian
Successor Trajan
Off-spring Trajan (Adopted)

Also Nerva was part of the long famous dynasty named, Nerva Antonine, which is known as the five emperors dynasty by historians. He was the first of them, ending in the reign of Marcus Aurelius. His endevours and tax reforms helped mark this period astonishly along with the aggressiveness and conquests of Trajan, architecture of Hadrian, and philisophy of Aurelius. I Roman History Nerva´s hometown of Narnia, is famousing for being captured and made a Roman municipality, in 299 BC, but was later destroyed in 209 BC for refusing to pay for war efforts against Carthage. It was later rebuilt and served as a Roman Outpost for its later years...



Trajans story is very long, and I have not completed it. I did this one meanwhile.

[BasileII]

Could you please change the title of your thread? There is a gross date mistake in it.

[Frederich Barbarossa]

I put 169 because thats when he ended his rule with lucius verus.

[Maverick]

I was reading the `15 roman emperors´ thread, and was ashamed. How can you write so little of Trajan. And so I made a Thread dedicated to the five good Emperors... Not those pedophiles you call Emperors, like Caligula and Nero...

Well... both Hadrian and Trajan liked boys but it was a different time.

Socrates: Which, think you, would be harder to bear--a wild beast's savagery or a mother's?

Lamprocles: To my mind, a mother's--at least if she be such as mine.

I think we can make a few licenses for Caligula due to his upbringing and mental illness and Nero for his immaturity (most powerful man in the world at the age of 16). They were both obviously botched human beings but I think Commodus was by far the worst.

[Optimus Marcus Ulpius Traianus]

Well... both Hadrian and Trajan liked boys but it was a different time.



I think we can make a few licenses for Caligula due to his upbringing and mental illness and Nero for his immaturity (most powerful man in the world at the age of 16). They were both obviously botched human beings but I think Commodus was by far the worst.

good point Caligula was incredibly popular before his illness as much if not more than some of the better emporers but Nero was serverly scewed in the head and Commodus was disapointing from such a great father even his first act was stupid-to abandon all of the lands in germany and the czech republic his father had conquered.

[Frederich Barbarossa]

good point Caligula was incredibly popular before his illness as much if not more than some of the better emporers but Nero was serverly scewed in the head and Commodus was disapointing from such a great father even his first act was stupid-to abandon all of the lands in germany and the czech republic his father had conquered.

trajan is that you i pledge my utter loyalty to you...

[Frederich Barbarossa]

yes but I dont mark commodus as the five good emperors...