What is Nerva?
{{Infobox Roman emperor | title = [[Roman Emperor|Emperor]] of the [[Roman Empire]] | name = Nerva | full name = Marcus Cocceius Nerva <br />(before accession); <br />Marcus Cocceius Nerva Caesar Augustus (as emperor) | image = Nerva Tivoli Massimo.jpg | caption = Bust of Nerva, National Museum of Rome | reign = 18 September 96 – 25 January 98 | predecessor = [[Domitian]] | successor = [[Trajan]] | spouse = | spouse 2 = | issue = [[Trajan]] (adoptive) | dynasty = [[Nervan-Antonian dynasty|Nervan-Antonine]] | father = Marcus Cocceius Nerva | mother = Sergia Plautilla | birth_date = {{birth date|df=yes|30|11|8}} | birth_place = [[Narni]] | death_date = {{death date and age|98|1|27|30|11|8|df=y}} | death_place = Rome | burial_place = [[Mausoleum of Augustus]], Rome }} '''Nerva''' (Marcus Cocceius Nerva, 8 November 30 – 25 January 98) was [[Roman Emperor]] from 96 to 98. Nerva became emperor at the age of sixty-five, after a lifetime of imperial service under [[Nero]] and the rulers of the [[Flavian dynasty]]. Under Nero, he was a member of the imperial team, and played a vital part in exposing the [[Pisonian conspiracy]] of 65. Later, as a loyalist to the Flavians, he attained [[Roman consul|consulships]] in 71 and 90 during the reigns of [[Vespasian]] and [[Domitian]] respectively. On 18 September 96, Domitian was [[Assassination|assassinated]] in a palace conspiracy. On the same day, Nerva was declared emperor by the [[Roman Senate]]. As the new ruler of the [[Roman Empire]], he vowed to restore [[Liberty|liberties]] which had been cut during the [[autocratic]] government of Domitian. Nerva's brief reign was marred by [[financial]] difficulties and his inability to assert his authority over the [[Roman army]]. A revolt by the [[Praetorian Guard]] in October 97 caused him to [[Adoption|adopt]] an [[heir]]. After some deliberation Nerva adopted [[Trajan]], a young and popular general, as