The period between the accession of Nerva and the death of Marcus Aurelius is often referred to as the ‘High Point of Empire’ or ‘The Golden Age of Rome’. The Empire certainly reached its maximum size during this period and it enjoyed many decades of wise and stable government under the Adopted Emperors. Rome’s power seemed impregnable and her authority was undisputed in Western Europe and the Mediterranean. However, the beginning of this era was very different. Marcus Cocceius Nerva, who became emperor in the aftermath of Domitian’s assassination in A.D. 96, feared a repeat of the civil wars which followed the death of Nero 28 years earlier. Nerva avoided potential army rebellions by appointing the popular general Marcus Ulpius Traianus as his heir. This action diffused army opposition to the death of Domitian and secured Nerva’s position. The practice of adopting the best man as successor was established; Trajan, in turn, adopted Publius Aelius Hadrianus (Hadrian) who adopted Titus Aurelius Fulvus Boionius Arrius Antoninus (Antoninus Pius) and Marcus Aelius Aurelius Verus (Marcus Aurelius). Unfortunately, the successor of Marcus Aurelius was his son, Commodus, who proved to be a tyrant and megalomaniac. His assassination on New Year’s Eve A.D. 192 began a new round of internal strife and civil war. James R. Wadman B.A., M.A. [History and Archaeology] for TimeLine Originals.

Marcus Cocceius Nerva was born in the Umbrian hill town of Narni about A.D. 30. His brief reign was troubled by threat of military uprising as he was implicated in the plot to assassinate the popular Domitian.

Marcus Ulpius Traianus held the rank of legionary commander in A.D. 88-89, and was involved in suppressing a German revolt in A.D. 91. Trajan became Rome's thirteenth emperor in A.D. 97. He commemorated the annexation of the kingdom of Dacia by erecting the famous Column of Trajan dedicated in A.D. 113. Trajan also gave attention to the east where he created a new province of Arabia.

Abandoning the expansionist policies of his predecessor Trajan, Hadrian followed a policy of defence and consolidation during which Hadrian's Wall in Britain was constructed. Hadrian travelled more than any other emperor, visiting many provinces and towns, often ordering grandiose building programs to improve the infrastructure and quality of life in those regions.

Lucius Aelius Verus Caesar became the adopted son and intended successor, of Roman Emperor Hadrian but never attained the throne. Aelius was born with the name Lucius Ceionius Commodus Verus. He was of the gens Ceionius. His father Lucius Ceionius Commodus Verus was consul in 106 and his paternal grandfather of the same name was consul in 78. His paternal ancestors were from Etruria and were of consular rank. His mother was a Roman woman called Aelia or Fundania Plautia. Augustan History states that his maternal grandfather and his maternal ancestors were of consular rank.

Vibia Sabina was the favourite niece of Trajan. She married Hadrian in A.D. 100.

Titus Aurelius Fulvus Boionius Arrius Antoninus was born in A.D. 86. Under Antoninus' 23 year reign the Empire had peace and prosperity apart from minor disturbances in Britain. On his death he was succeeded by Marcus Aurelius.