Nerva - The First Good Emperor

Few people know much about Emperor Nerva, who ruled the Roman Empire for fifteen months at the end of the 1st Century AD. Yet he had a significant impact on Rome and became known as the first (of five) good emperors.

Coming from what we might consider middle-class stock – the Equestrians – he served the imperium in a variety of roles but never expected to rise to its apex. Only Patricians could aspire to lead the empire. Yet at the age of almost 67, he was acclaimed Emperor by the senate om the death of Domitian.

During a career covering more than 45 years, he was involved in many major events from the Great Fire of Rome to the earthquakes at Pompeii and subsequent devastating volcanic eruption of Vesuvius. Not to mention several rebellions and the infamous Year of Four Emperors, during which his sister’s brother-in-law, Otho, briefly became emperor.

Written in the first person, this novel is an account of his life and times from his childhood to his death during which time he interacted with all the major characters of the age from Nero to Trajan.