Domitian’s murder marked the end of the Flavian dynasty and changed the rules of succession. Nerva and Trajan (ruled 96 – 98 AD, 98 – 117 AD) were not born to rule, but were chosen for the job.

Nerva died just months later. Shortly before Nerva's death, Rome's generals had chosen to debate who should next serve as emperor. They chose Trajan, a former general and the governor of Upper ...