Nerva (A.D. 30 - A.D. 98) was the first of the Five Good Emperors. He was elected by the Roman Senate and adopted his successor, Trajan. Although he only ruled for 2 years from 96 to 98 AD, his peaceful line of succession was in contrast to what occurred in the Empire after the death of Nero and led to 84 years of the most stable and prosperous time in Roman history.