O.K. "Trajan" is my latest thing, "first Spanish emperor" - uh, not true

[UTUSN]

Wiki (my bible) says his parents were both Eyetalian, like the current pope (not Latin American). Plus, who can name the 5 good emperors -- my guesses were Augustus, Trajan, Hadrian, Marcus Aurelius --- WRONG!1

[Recursion]

1. Nerva, Trajan, A. Pius, Hadrian, and M. Aurelius

They were the five good emperors of the Dominate, while Augustus was the one good emperor of the Principate (totally different systems, really).

Trajan was an ethnic Italian (which meant something different then than it does now) born in what is now Spain.

[UTUSN]

2. Excellent, & I get the idea you don't depend on Wiki!1 So, don't leave me hanging:

1) What did "ethnic Italian" mean then vs now?

2) "Principate" and "Dominate"? -- differences in administration besides relation/non-relation to Caesar?

Don't make me resort to Wiki, which I will!1

[antiquie]

3. I did look at Wiki and other places

and now my head hurts. I plead for short and uncomplicated.

[UTUSN]

4. Haha, shorter and more uncomplicated than Wiki?!1 Here's Emperor Nerva

separated at birth




*********QUOTE********

[font size=5]Nerva (from Wiki)[/font]

.... Nerva's brief reign was marred by financial difficulties and his inability to assert his authority over the Roman army. A revolt by the Praetorian Guard in October 97 essentially forced him to adopt an heir. After some deliberation Nerva adopted Trajan, a young and popular general, as his successor. After barely fifteen months in office, Nerva died of natural causes on 27 January 98. Upon his death he was succeeded and deified by Trajan.
Although much of his life remains obscure, Nerva was considered a wise and moderate emperor by ancient historians. Nerva's greatest success was his ability to ensure a peaceful transition of power after his death, thus founding the Nerva-Antonine dynasty. ....

*************UNQUOTE*************

[antiquie]

5. Perfect twins.