Nerva and the Roman Succession Crisis of AD 96-99
Price: $37.95
Add to Cart- ISBN: 978-0-415-34958-1
- Binding: Paperback
- Published by: Routledge
- Publication Date: 19th August 2004
- Pages: 192
- Illustrations: 7 line drawings, 4 half tones and 7 tables
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About the Book
The imperial succession at Rome was notoriously uncertain, and where possible hereditary succession was preferred.
John Grainger's detailed study looks at aperiod of intrigue and conspiracy. He explores how, why and by whom Domitian was killed, the rule of Nerva, chosen to succeed him, and finally Nerva's own choice of successor, Trajan, who became a strong and respected emperor against the odds.
Perhaps most significantly Grainger investigates the effects of this dynastic uncertainty both inside and outside the ruling group in Rome, asking why civil war did not occur in this time of political upheaval.
The last time a dynasty had failed, in AD 68, a damaging military conflict had resulted; at the next failure in AD 192, another war broke out; by the third century civil war was institutionalized, and was one of the main reasons for the eventual downfall of the entire imperial structure. Grainger argues that though AD 96-98 stands out as the civil war that did not happen, it was a perilously close-run thing.
About the Author(s)
John D. Grainger is a freelance historian and former teacher. He is the author of several books on ancient history including Seleukos Nikator, The League of Aitolians and The Roman War of Antiochus the Great.Customers who bought Nerva and the Roman Succession Crisis of AD 96-99 also bought:
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