 Although he appeared to be an unlikely candidate on account of his age and weak health , Nerva was considered a safe choice precisely because he was old and childless . Furthermore , he had close connections with the Flavian dynasty and commanded the respect of a substantial part of the Senate . Nerva had seen the anarchy which had resulted from the death of Nero ; he knew that to hesitate even for a few hours could lead to violent civil conflict . Rather than decline the invitation and risk revolts , he accepted . The decision may have been hasty so as to avoid civil war , but neither the Senate nor Nerva appears to have been involved in the conspiracy against Domitian . 
 Although he appeared to be an unlikely candidate on account of his age and weak health , Nerva was considered a safe choice precisely because he was old and childless . Furthermore , he had close connections with the Flavian dynasty and commanded the respect of a substantial part of the Senate . Nerva <a href='been_done' title='1'><mark>had</mark></a> seen the anarchy which <a href='been_done' title='2'><mark>had</mark></a> resulted from the death of Nero ; he knew that to hesitate even for a few hours could lead to violent civil conflict . Rather than decline the invitation and risk revolts , he accepted . The decision may have been hasty so as to avoid civil war , but neither the Senate nor Nerva <a href='uninflect' title='3'><mark>appears</mark></a> to <a href='been_done' title='4'><mark>have</mark></a> been involved in the conspiracy against Domitian . 
Although he appeared to be an unlikely candidate on account of his age and weak health , Nerva was considered a safe choice precisely because he was old and childless . Furthermore , he had close connections wid the Flavian dynasty and commanded the respect of a substantial part of the Senate . Nerva done seen the anarchy which done resulted from the death of Nero ; he knew dat to hesitate even for a few hrs could lead to violent civil conflict . Rather den decline da invitation and risk revolts , he accepted . Tdadecision may have been hasty so as to avoid civil war , but neither the Senate nor Nerva appear to done been involved in thdaonspiracy against Domitian .