 While the swift transfer of power following Domitian 's death had prevented a civil war from erupting , Nerva 's position as an emperor soon proved too vulnerable , and his benign nature turned into a reluctance to assert his authority . Upon his accession , he had ordered a halt to treason trials , but at the same time allowed the prosecution of informers by the Senate to continue . This measure led to chaos , as everyone acted in his own interests while trying to settle scores with personal enemies , leading the consul Fronto to famously remark that Domitian 's tyranny was ultimately preferable to Nerva 's anarchy . Early in 97 , a conspiracy led by the senator Gaius Calpurnius Piso Crassus Frugi Licinianus failed , but once again Nerva refused to put the conspirators to death , much to the disapproval of the Senate . 
 While the swift transfer of power following Domitian <a href='null_genetive' title='1'><mark>'s</mark></a>death <a href='been_done' title='2'><mark>had</mark></a> prevented a civil war from erupting , Nerva <a href='null_genetive' title='3'><mark>'s</mark></a>position as an emperor soon proved too vulnerable , and his benign nature turned into a reluctance to assert his authority . Upon his accession , he <a href='been_done' title='4'><mark>had</mark></a> ordered a halt to treason trials , but at the same time allowed the prosecution of informers by the Senate to continue . This measure led to chaos , as everyone acted in his own interests while trying to settle scores with personal enemies , leading the consul Fronto to famously remark that Domitian <a href='null_genetive' title='5'><mark>'s</mark></a>tyranny was ultimately preferable to Nerva <a href='null_genetive' title='6'><mark>'s</mark></a>anarchy . Early in 97 , a conspiracy led by the senator Gaius Calpurnius Piso Crassus Frugi Licinianus failed , but once again Nerva refused to put the conspirators to death , much to the disapproval of the Senate . 
While da swift transfer of power following Domitian  death done prevented a civil war from erupting , Nerva  position as an emperor soon proved too vulnerable , and his benign nature turned into a reluctance to assert his authority . Upon his accession , he done ordered a halt to treason trials , but at the same time allowed tdaprosecution of informers by the Senate to continue . dis measure led to chaos , as everyone acted in his own interests while tryna settle scores witt personal enemies , leading the consul Fronto to famously remark that Domitian  tyranny was ultimately preferable to Nerva  anarchy . Early in 97 , a conspiracy led by thdaenator Gaius Calpurnius Piso Crassus Frugi Licinianus failed , but once again Nerva refused to put thedanspirators to death , much to the daapproval of the Sdate .