Second of the #FiveGoodEmperors, a period of unusual stability in #Rome, #Trajan took power on #ThisDayInHistory in 98. He expanded benefits for the poor, and by his death in 117 the empire reached its greatest extent, with Dacia, Nabataea, Armenia, Assyria, & Mesopotamia added.

Bust of Nerva, aureus of Trajan

#Emperor #Nerva died of natural causes #OTD 98AD, at 67. Chosen by the Senate after Domitian's assassination; emperor for 16 months. Considered moderate & wise, his greatest success was adopting #Trajan as his heir ensuring a peaceful transition of power.
He was the first of the #FiveGoodEmperors

Bust of Nerva

Today marks the death of #Emperor #Nerva in 98AD, aged 67. Chosen to lead by the Senate after Domitian's assassination, he was emperor for just 16 months before dying from natural causes. Nerva was the first of the Five Good Emperors.

📷 Bust of Nerva, Museo Nazionale Romano

#otd #FiveGoodEmperors

Historical image of Marcus Aurelius

Antoninus Pius's final act secured Rome's future. He adopted Marcus Aurelius, ensuring stable succession. His peaceful reign proved that empire could thrive without constant conquest. #fivegoodemperors

By adopting Trajan as heir, Nerva set a precedent for choosing capable successors, ensuring Rome's prosperity. #succession #FiveGoodEmperors

Aurelius' reign marked the end of the 'Five Good Emperors', a time of relative peace and prosperity in the Roman Empire. #FiveGoodEmperors