# Nerva

> 12th Roman Emperor (96–98)

**Wikidata**: [Q1424](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1424)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nerva)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/nerva

## Summary
Nerva was a Roman politician and the 12th Roman Emperor, ruling from 96 to 98 AD. He is best known as the first of the "Five Good Emperors," initiating a period of stable leadership and adopting Trajan as his successor.

## Biography
- **Born:** November 8, 30 AD (alternatively recorded as 32 AD)
- **Died:** January 27, 98 AD
- **Nationality:** Ancient Rome
- **Known for:** Serving as the 12th Roman Emperor
- **Field(s):** Politics; Government
- **Other Identities:** Human; Politician

## Contributions
Nerva's primary contribution to history is his role in establishing the "Five Good Emperors," a succession of five rulers who led the Roman Empire. He is associated with the **Forum Nervae**, an archaeological site located in Rome, Italy, which stands as a physical testament to his reign. His decision to adopt Trajan as his successor solidified the transition of power and ensured the stability of the empire.

## FAQs
**Who was Nerva?**
Nerva, formally named Marcus Cocceius Nerva Caesar Augustus, was the 12th Roman Emperor who ruled from 96 to 98 AD.

**What group is Nerva associated with?**
Nerva is the first listed member of the "Five Good Emperors," a group that also includes Trajan, Hadrian, Antoninus Pius, and Marcus Aurelius.

**What physical structures are named after Nerva?**
The Forum Nervae, an archaeological site in Rome, Italy, is named after him.

**When was Nerva born and when did he die?**
He was born on November 8, 30 AD (or 32 AD) and died on January 27, 98 AD.

## Why They Matter
Nerva matters historically because he broke the cycle of hereditary succession and established the adoptive system that defined the era of the "Five Good Emperors." By selecting Trajan as his heir, he ensured a competent military leader took control, stabilizing the empire after the assassination of Domitian. His reign, though short (96–98), bridged the gap between the Flavian dynasty and the prosperous era of the adoptive emperors.

## Notable For
- Being the 12th Roman Emperor
- Serving as the first of the "Five Good Emperors"
- The construction/association with the Forum Nervae in Rome
- Adopting Trajan, which secured the imperial succession

## Body

### Early Life and Identity
Marcus Cocceius Nerva was born on November 8, 30 AD, though some records indicate a birth year of 32 AD. He was a human and a politician by occupation, holding citizenship in Ancient Rome. His full name and title are recorded as Marcus Cocceius Nerva Caesar Augustus.

### Reign as Emperor
Nerva served as the 12th Roman Emperor, with a reign spanning from 96 to 98 AD. He is identified as a member of the "Five Good Emperors," a distinguished group that includes Nerva, Trajan, Hadrian, Antoninus Pius, and Marcus Aurelius. This group is noted for bringing a period of sustained good governance to the Roman Empire.

### Legacy and Archaeology
A significant physical legacy of his rule is the Forum Nervae, an archaeological site located in Rome, Italy. This site serves as a tangible connection to his time as emperor. His reign concluded with his death on January 27, 98 AD.

### Structured Data and Identifiers
Nerva is extensively documented across various knowledge bases and archives. He is assigned the Wikidata identifier for a human and a politician. His biography is cataloged under the title "Nerva" with 82 sitelinks. Specific identifiers include VIAF 69725573, ISNI 0000000063007315, and the Library of Congress ID nr89013885. He is also recorded in the Britannica Online ID as "biography/Nerva-Roman-emperor" and the Great Russian Encyclopedia Online ID as "nerva." Other catalog entries include the Catholic Encyclopedia ID (0045823) and the Store norske leksikon ID (nerva). His image is preserved in the "Head of Marcus Cocceius Nerva in Museo Nazionale Romano.jpg."

## References

1. Nerva
2. Integrated Authority File
3. Cocceii
4. general catalog of BnF
5. Virtual International Authority File
6. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
7. IdRef
8. CERL Thesaurus
9. Treccani's Enciclopedia on line