ABSTRACT
The reign of Nerva was so short and so closely related to the reign of his successor in the historical issues that arise that separate consideration would be futile. The tradition on Nerva is mostly shaped by Trajanic writers, especially Pliny, and since Nerva adopted Trajan, any criticism or praise of Nerva of necessity reflected on Trajan. The sources on Trajan tend to glorify his reign. Trajan was the conquering hero who personally led Roman armies to great victories against barbarian enemies. Politically, he shared Nerva’s triumph of, in Tacitus’ memorable phrase, ‘integrating things previously opposed: principate and liberty’ (Agr. 3). Pliny’s Panegyricus presents us with an extended hymn to Trajan’s political and military virtues. It is the eulogistic presentation of the emperor whom the senate chose to call ‘optimus’ (best) that dominates the tradition.
