Definition
Nerva was a Roman Emperor who ruled for a short but significant period, from 96 to 98 AD. He came to power after the assassination of Domitian, marking a transition to a more stable era. Think of him as a bridge between two contrasting periods in Roman history. He adopted Trajan as his heir, establishing the Nerva-Antonine dynasty. His reign focused on restoring order and improving the empire's administration. Nerva's short tenure helped lay the groundwork for future Roman emperors.