 In October 97 these tensions came to a head when the Praetorian Guard , led by Casperius Aelianus , laid siege to the Imperial Palace and took Nerva hostage . He was forced to submit to their demands , agreeing to hand over those responsible for Domitian 's death and even giving a speech thanking the rebellious Praetorians . Titus Petronius Secundus and Parthenius , Domitian 's former chamberlain , were sought out and killed . Nerva was unharmed in this assault , but his authority was damaged beyond repair . 
 In October 97 these tensions came to a head when the Praetorian Guard , led by Casperius Aelianus , laid siege to the Imperial Palace and took Nerva hostage . He was forced to submit to their demands , agreeing to hand over those responsible for Domitian <a href='null_genetive' title='1'><mark>'s</mark></a>death and even giving a speech thanking the rebellious Praetorians . Titus Petronius Secundus and Parthenius , Domitian <a href='null_genetive' title='2'><mark>'s</mark></a>former chamberlain , <a href='uninflect' title='3'><mark>were</mark></a> sought out and killed . Nerva was unharmed in this assault , but his authority was damaged beyond repair . 
In October 97 dese tensions came to a head when the Praetorian Guard , led by Casperius Aelianus , laid siege to the Imperial Palace and took Nerva hostage . He was forced to submit to their demands , agreeing to hand ova those responsible fir Domitian  death and even giving a speech thankin the rebellious Praetorians . Titus Petronius Secundus and Parthenius , Domitian  former chamberlain , was sought outt and killed . Nerva was unharmed in this assault , but his authority was damaged beyond repair .