Roman satiric poet Decimus Iunius Iuvenalis, anglicized to Juvenal, apparently grew up in Aquinum and had gone to Rome to make a living as a teacher during the reign of Domitian.
In his first Satire, Juvenal had claimed that moral indignation forced him to write, but for fear of his own safety he will speak only of the dead.
Following Domitian's murder and the accession of Nerva, Juvenal publishes a series of poems that strike out at the corruption, vices, and follies of imperial Rome, using explicit allusions to the dead emperor to mask his concern with the contemporary city.
The change of government is a relief to the Roman Senate, whose members had suffered under the terrors of Domitian's regime.
As an immediate gesture of goodwill towards his supporters, Nerva had publicly sworn that no senators will be put to death as long as he remains in office.
He has called an end to trials based on treason, released those who had been imprisoned under these charges, and granted amnesty to many who had been exiled.
All properties which had been confiscated by Domitian are returned to their respective families.
Nerva also seeks to involve the Senate in his government, but this is not entirely successful.
He continues to rely largely on friends and advisors that are known and trusted, and by maintaining friendly relations with the pro-Domitianic faction of the Senate, he incurs hostility which may have been the cause for at least one conspiracy against his life.
Having been proclaimed emperor solely on the initiative of the Senate, Nerva has had to introduce a number of measures to gain support among the Roman populace.
As is custom by this time, a change of emperor is expected to bring with it a generous payment of gifts and money to the people and the army.
Accordingly, a congiarium of 75 denarii per head is bestowed upon the citizens, while the soldiers of the Praetorian Guard receive a donativum that may have amounted to as much as five thousand denarii per person.
This is followed by a string of economic reforms intended to alleviate the burden of taxation from the most needy Romans.
To the poorest, Nerva grants allotments of land worth up to sixty million sesterces.
He exempts parents and their children from a five percent inheritance tax, and he makes loans to Italian landowners on the condition that they pay interest of five percent to their municipality to support the children of needy families; alimentary schemes which will later be expanded by Trajan, Antoninus Pius, and Marcus Aurelius.
Furthermore, numerous taxes are remitted and privileges granted to Roman provinces.
Before long, Nerva's expenses strain the economy of Rome and necessitate the formation of a special commission of economy to drastically reduce expenditures.
The most superfluous religious sacrifices, games and horse races are abolished, while new income is generated from Domitian's former possessions, including the auctioning of ships, estates, and even furniture.
Large amounts of money are obtained from Domitian's silver and gold statues, and Nerva forbids that similar images be made in his honor.
According to Suetonius, the people of Rome met the news of Domitian's death with indifference, but the army was much grieved, calling for his deification immediately after the assassination, and in several provinces rioting.
As a compensation measure, the Praetorian guard had demanded the execution of Domitian's assassins, which Nerva refused.
Instead he had merely dismissed Titus Petronius Secundus, and replaced him with a former commander, Casperius Aelianus.
Dissatisfaction with this state of affairs continues to loom over Nerva's reign, and ultimately erupts into a crisis in October 97, when members of the Praetorian guard, led by Casperius Aelianus, lay siege to the Imperial Palace and take Nerva hostage.
He is forced to submit to their demands, agreeing to hand over those responsible for Domitian's death and even giving a speech thanking the rebellious Praetorians.
Titus Petronius Secundus and Parthenius are sought out and killed.
Nerva is unharmed in this assault, but his authority is damaged beyond repair.
Shortly thereafter he announces the adoption of Trajan, who had distinguished himself early on in military and political posts, as his successor, and with this decision all but abdicates.
According to the Augustan History, it was the future Emperor Hadrian who brought word to Trajan of his adoption.
Trajan receives from the emperor the rank of caesar and a share of imperial power.
