ROMAN EMPIRE

Nerva was an elderly senator without children who had been consul twice and served the Empire loyally since the time of Nero. When Domitian was assassinated by the Praetorian Guard, the Senate elected him as the new emperor, with the understanding that his reign would be clearly transitional. He immediately ordered the end of treason trials and granted amnesty to the exiled, restored confiscated properties, and attempted to reorganise the finances by lowering taxes for those in need. He also undertook significant projects to repair roads and aqueducts. These political measures are reflected on the reverse of the coin. His main vulnerability was his lack of support from the army, which prompted him to adopt his most popular commander, Trajan, as his successor.