Life of Emperor Nerva #12 First of the Best Emperors

[@TheSPQRHistorian]

As some of you might've noticed there's a new voice for the video, he will be narrating the videos on this channel going forward. I hope you like it! And sorry for the shorter video, not so much to say about Nerva really... The Trajan video will be considerable longer Previous Emperor, Domitian: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mInRZHx3l7SlraM

[@dimitribagatelas1714]

Absolutely loved it no matter the time, you are the best keep up the great work. CANT WAIT FOR TRAJAN

[@TheSPQRHistorian]

Thanks Dimitri 🙏

[@ricklucas6216]

New voice is good. Old voice was good also. Keep up the good work! Great content!

[@Anakunus]

Yay for the new voice! You, or whoever it was narrating in the previous videos, talked so fast and so unclearly that I almost stopped watching the Augustus video half-way through. But instead, I changed the video's playing speed and decided to suffer through it - and I am glad I did. The old narrator's speech improved a little during next videos but I still had to play some sections multiple times. Yet, despite that, I liked the informative content of all those videos. So now that the narrator has changed for someone whose speaking is clearly and not overtly fast, I am more motivated than ever to watch the rest of this series. Cheers!

[@fuzzyco.3336]

I’ll miss the old voice, so much personality to it

[@kanyekubrick5391]

Ok so Rome had a city named Nárnia. Sick

[@godofwarhammer7655]

Best name for a city ever

[@TheSPQRHistorian]

Yep! Today it's called Narni, but in ancient times it was Narnia

[@juanlopezvillegas1550]

It is still standing, It has a sick castle and a walled segment, very pretty town.

[@bryce3754]

In alot of ways Rome was like Narnia...

[@Larry-xf3qt]

Used to live there back in the day terrible place just tons of sponges on sticks. Crazy people

[@kanyekubrick5391]

I’d like to believe that Trajan was appointed genuinely because he was dope. But if he really did force his way into the purple, he probably was like “you’re welcome, Roma”

[@TheSPQRHistorian]

Yeah he turned out an excellent candidate

[@Judge_Magister]

He was adopted because Nerva needed a commander of legions as his right hand man. Also Trajanus was on good terms with emperor Domitian whom he had always been loyal to. So perhaps it was indeed his masterplan to force Nerva to take revenge on the murderers of Domitian and name himself future emperor. Trajanus was a very tactful man so would not be surprised.

[@legionarybooks13]

@@Judge_Magister one of the arguments I've always made regarding whether Domitian was a good emperor was Trajan's fierce loyalty to him. He helped put down the short-lived revolt of Saturnius in Upper Germania in 89 A.D. And it was he who Domitian commissioned three years later to take a huge army from Hispania and parts of Germania to crush the Pannonian revolt, which sadly saw the destruction of Legio XXI before Trajan arrived. Between his two legions (Legio VII, Gemina, and Legio XIV, Gemina) plus at least an equal number of auxiliaries, he had about 20,000 soldiers, most of whom he had to march across northern Italia before staging near Aquileia . If Trajan were disloyal or had imperial aspirations, he could have easily marched on Rome with such a force either before or after sorting out the rebellion.

[@p03saucez]

Daddy Trajan is so close. I can already hear the Dacian screams!

[@TheSPQRHistorian]

Yeah I think Trajan gonna be a long video... Two Dacian wars, a Parthian war and a good and long reign 😉

[@petercroves8562]

Trajan 's father fought in the Great Jewish war of 66-73 AD as a cavalry officer in Gallilee

[@TheSPQRHistorian]

Yeah and he became very close with Vespasian so he got further postings in the Empire like governor of Syria where Trajan served under his father as military tribune 😀

[@legionarybooks13]

Actually, he was commanding legate of Legio X, Fretensis. The same legion Flavius Silva later commanded during the Siege of Masada.

[@wilsontheconqueror8101]

Nerva was a custodian emperor. Just kept it together for Trajan.

[@TheSPQRHistorian]

Yeah pretty much, atleast there was no civil war after Domitians assassination

[@TheAurelianProject]

Same with Antoninus Pius. He didn’t do much but at least he maintained the empire well enough so that Marcus Aurelius could rule successfully afterward.

[@Joorum]

It is surprising such an aged man was made emperor only a generation after the chaotic and short rule of the elderly Galba during the previous collapse of a dynasty. Then again, history does repeat itself.

[@TheSPQRHistorian]

Yeah the senate seemed to like their old men...

[@philRminiatures]

A fascinating life, marked out by conspirations, hostages, Praetorian Guard...Roman life is definitely not easy, great video once again!

[@TheSPQRHistorian]

Thanks Phil! Glad you enjoyed it

[@p03saucez]

Varus, give me back my narrator!! Jk I like this guy too. Excellent work as always my friend.

[@TheSPQRHistorian]

Thank you! 🙏 I might narrate a video here and there, but I refer this narrator 😅

[@laurenjeangreenbean6301]

I actually really preferred the first narrator, but guess beggars can't be choosers, so just keep the content coming, I will go back a re-listen to the mellifluous tones of original...excellent consistency of quality!

[@EasternRomanHistory]

Good video, strange hearing a different voice but it grew on me and is very clear. I am not quite sure why Gibbon saw him as one of the 'Good Emperors' Maybe Lucius Verus should have that mantle instead.

[@TheSPQRHistorian]

Good point! At least he wasn't 'bad', he is just a stopgap emperor. If he had waited much longer, before adopting Trajan, I think another civil war would've decided the new emperor. (A civil war that Trajan might've won anyway😉)

[@bryce3754]

@@TheSPQRHistorian ha true

[@Ruosteinenknight]

Well, he kinda comes like the best thing he did was to name Trajan as his successor. But then again, finding a good successor is a commendable feat, not at all as easy as it sounds. Looking at you, Marcus Aurelius. I'm going to leave Augustus of the hook here, because Tiberius kinda was only his third choice of successor after Murphy's law had way with two of his grandsons and Tiberius was all that Augustus had left. Also Augustus was fully aware of Tiberius's flaws and did his best to remedy it by making Tiberius to adopt Germanicus. However, Tiberius being Tiberius didn't follow what Augustus was had in mind after his death. Tiberius's reing was very troubled, but Rome still remained well governed. As for Tiberius himself...well, it's not entirely sure if he ever "chose" anyone to succeed him. By the time of his death, he had isolated himself away from the empire to Capri and didn't seem to be in state where gave a damn about anything. Really, Caligula kinda just picked upt the laurel wreath because there wasn't anyone else around (aside from Claudius, that is) and everybody just kinda went along with it.

[@MiguelDS5547]

Tiberius wasn't a great emperor, but he was a good one.

[@revanius2213]

I think the most notable thing about Nerva is that his name is part of the Dynasty Nerva-Antonine Dynasty, so at least he will always be remembered.

[@brandbw]

Another excellent video amigo!!!

[@TheSPQRHistorian]

Thank you! 🙏

[@joachimnass]

Thank you for the video! I've found a Nerva denarius today.

[@BattlestarGenesis]

Great video and narration by Commander Riker!

[@blackadam4922]

Great video!

[@TheSPQRHistorian]

Thanks, Ave Caesar!

[@CallMeRito]

Was there a Lion and a witch in Narnia?

[@ericbaugher]

Hi, I just subscribed to your channel and gave this video a like. I have given a few if your videos a like now. You are producing a lot of great content. Keep up the good work.

[@JoseMoreno-ts6ed]

The Roman Glory! 🦅⚔️

[@TheSPQRHistorian]

Roma Invicta

[@erinaltstadt4234]

thank you

[@franksmith6351]

Does the word nerves come from Nerva?

[@TheSPQRHistorian]

I think it the family name roughly means like vigor, power or force. I'm not 100% sure, but I think nerves and Nerva probably derives from the same core Latin word nerve 🤔

[@franksmith6351]

@@TheSPQRHistorian It's very interesting. I know much of the English language comes from Latin.

[@nerva.imperator]

Something about this guy makes me really sad for some reason. Awesome video though, and thank you for making it :)

[@paulwood6729]

I'm not seeing why he's considered as one of the 5 good emperors.

[@michaeldunne338]

Stayed alive, avoided a civil war by by teeing up Trajan, set the precedent of adopting "the best man." Would have to look at other things going on, but seems the Empire itself, outside of imperial politics and the swish parts of Rome, hummed along alright. I also seem to recall that, with Italy at least, he reduced taxes, made grants of land paid out of his own pocket, improvements made to infrastructure. But don't view him as a great Emperor. More like an OK transitional figure.

[@Judge_Magister]

He was not one of the 5 good ones. Augustus was the first good emperor. ( i would personally rate Claudius and the Flavians also as good emperors) And it was Trajanus who avoided civil war by probably steering the guard to force Nerva to execute the murderers of emperor Domitian and name himself the next emperor. Nerva was just a slippery eel. He did a great disservice to Domitian who despite his lack of proper schooling in war and politics because all that went to his older brother Titus. Domitian still managed to be an emperor focussed on administrating the empire and listen to his advisers. Domitian paved the road for the “5 good emperors” together with his brother and father.

[@paulwood6729]

@@Judge_Magister en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nerva%E2%80%93Antonine_dynasty#Five_Good_Emperors

[@yektaadguzel9294]

Nerva was born in Narnia. Before he became the emperor he was known as Aslan.

[@jtadros16]

Why is it a different voice this time? (No hate, just wanted to know) 👍

[@TheSPQRHistorian]

I try to increase the production value on these videos, my swedish/english accent wasn't cutting it

[@jtadros16]

The SPQR Historian 👌

[@danieltrubman8203]

@@TheSPQRHistorian I get where you're coming from with that choice, but just wanted to add that even if your accent wasn't perfect, it was pretty good! I never had trouble understanding it anyway, and I often turn on captions when listening to native speakers.

[@3John-Bishop]

I like this voice better.

[@jimmehjiimmeehh9748]

That voice change came out of nowhere lmao.

[@crystalmyers2616]

Nerva was born in Narnia in 30 A.D he spent alot of time hanging out with a Lion and a Witch in a Wardrobe 🤣😄🤣🤣

[@franksmith6351]

Oh man I was really liking your accent.

[@TheSPQRHistorian]

Thanks Frank! I prefer this new narrator 😉 And it makes it easier for me to make videos.

[@franksmith6351]

@@TheSPQRHistorian True he is easier to understand. Good videos either way.

[@thhseeking]

0:59 - "conciracy"??? :P

[@roshananerva_5975]

Really nice Video. I wrote my Bachelor thesis about Nerva, and I wonder why you think he was friends with Domitian? Just because his appointment to Consul or have you other sources? (I'm just really curious, no criticism) And I think Trajan had nothing to do with the mutiny of the pretorians, they really just wanted revange for Domitians murder. But I think Trajan and his fellows/consultants had their hands or were the grad in in/behind Nerva's appointment. Greetings from Germania superior 😉

[@TheSPQRHistorian]

I get the feeling that Nerva was an opportunist, having survived such turbulent years. He was able to ingratiate himself to Domitian. (Perhaps it was a genuine friendship at the start - hard to say) 🤔

[@profaneangel0842]

Domitian didn't just "give" Nerva a consulate. From dozens of other potential candidates, he chose Nerva as his consular colleague to open the year (AD90) following the revolt of Antonius Saturninus. This consulship was therefore a public statement that Domitian and his inner circle of advisors were still very much in command.

[@sockpupetbasileus8482]

Have you sean Dovahhtys viddios on rome?

[@TheSPQRHistorian]

Yeah they're really good! They're a bit more lighthearted than mine, but very entertaining 😁

[@WildMen4444]

Ave Divus Nerva!

[@The_Daily_Tomato]

Wait he was born...... *Where* ?

[@2yoyoyo1Unplugged]

Is it just be or did the quality jump big time on this one? And i’m not just talking the big voice change.

[@abduljah9355]

You mean quality of emperors? Domitian was Ok but I think Nerva was good at bridging the gap between the Flavians and the Antonines.

[@2yoyoyo1Unplugged]

@@abduljah9355 I understand this was probably banter but I meant production value

[@pablocuneo4611]

Trajan had nothing do with the guard forcing him to give up the assassins, Nerva was just really temp emperor due to his age and health.

[@FieldHoodGaming]

Yes

[@moonlightpaw5868]

They make him into their puppet. He just do anything the nobles tell him to do and probably look past their corruption unlike emperor Domitian who won’t let that shit fly. So this guy is emperor with no balls

[@brainstormingsharing1309]

👍👏👍👏👍

[@Francis_0120]

but either way, Nerva is a wise and moderate ruler. I don't think he deserved this cruel treatment. It was very sad that this man was humiliated and disrespected by his subordinates just because he lacks military experience as he didn't do anything worse to the empire unlike the other predecessors to the throne like Nero, Galba, Otho and Vitellius.

[@Anakunus]

...And now something about the content itself: Judging by what was told about Nerva in the video, he really wasn't that good of an emperor. It seems to me that the only good thing he did during his short reign was naming Trajanus as his successor, so I really don't get why he is supposedly the first of the five good emperors.

[@andrewpestotnik5495]

I mean he was born in Narnia so there's that

[@crusaderfromMNL]

sweet..born in Narnia.

[@karlbahena1733]

Lol Narnia

[@balintflorin6204]

Nerva decision to choose Trajan as his succesor was more significant than all decisions combined made by Antoninus in 23 years

[@majorgear1021]

“Princeps” has a hard “c”

[@AdriatheBwitch]

Hai, i dont really like calling Nerva one of the good emperors knowing his life and job as emperor was just to choose trajan as successor, he himself did nothing specvial army didnt ike him and he was just pretty average he had one job to do and he did it thats it, he was very lucky senator nothing more to say nothing that make him one of the best, actually domitian was better =) Like for real scheaming and giving money to ppl to win them over how is that good?

[@TheSPQRHistorian]

Yeah I agree with you, Nerva was just Ok he maintained status quo: The best thing he did for the Empire was to adopt Trajan and die soon after 😅

[@AdriatheBwitch]

@@TheSPQRHistorian Yeah i see lot of ppl placing him at the top like "ho he is awesome etc" but he did some plots, didnt oppose the bad propaganda over domitian which make him now ook lie a verry bad person for lot of non-aware ppl and he adopted Trajan thats it, i would place him as good as lets say a Pertinax maybe but surely not as good as Constantius II like some ppl say

[@9jmorrison]

He released the Christian prisoners, like the Apostle John

[@Insectoid_]

The good emperors not the best.

[@melodymasters9730]

Your pronouncing needs work. You butchered Domitian. And the Flavian dynasty. Study Latin or get a new job.

[@nazeem8680]

Why do toxic? Do you speak latin fluently yourself?

[@soapmaker2263]

Nerva didn't really do anything, so it's always bothered me that he's been dubbed a 'good emperor'. In fact, he should be considered a bad emperor simply for lifting that tax on the jews, says me.

[@christiankepler8371]

Anyone notice that Nerva's statue has his nose broken off...to hide and conceal part of his identity. The base is wide yet the new tip doesn't even match the base of his noses where it meets the new replacement.