 Contrary to the view here popularized by Cassius Dio , however , Nerva had in fact little choice with regard to his successor . Faced with a major crisis , he desperately needed the support of a man who could restore his damaged reputation . The only candidate with sufficient military experience , consular ancestry , and connections was Trajan . Likewise , Edward Gibbon 's assertion that Nerva hereby established a tradition of succession through adoption among the Five Good Emperors has found little support among modern historians . 
 Contrary to the view here popularized by Cassius Dio , however , Nerva had in fact little choice with regard to his successor . Faced with a major crisis , he desperately needed the support of a man <a href='null_relcl' title='1'><mark>who</mark></a>could restore his damaged reputation . The only candidate with sufficient military experience , consular ancestry , and connections was Trajan . Likewise , Edward Gibbon <a href='null_genetive' title='2'><mark>'s</mark></a>assertion that Nerva hereby established a tradition of succession through adoption among the Five Good Emperors <a href='been_done' title='3'><mark>has</mark></a> found little support among modern historians . 
Contrary to the view here popularized by Cassius Dio , however , Nerva had in fact little choice with regard to his successor . Faced with a major crisis , he desperately needed da support of a man could restore his damaged reputation . The only candidate with sufficient military experience , consular ancestry , and connections was Trajan . Likewise , Edward Gibbon  assertion that Nerva hereby established a tradition of succession thru adoption among tdaFive gud Emperors done found lil support among modern historians .