Publius Licinius Nerva

Publius Licinius Nerva was a politician of the Roman Republic who, as Praetor, served as Governor of Sicily in 104 BC at the outbreak of the Second Servile War.[1] Whilst acting as Governor of Sicily, Nerva circulated a notice that any slave who wished to bring charges against their master should come and speak to him. In response to this many slaves congregated and openly spoke of grievances against their master, as they believed they were being given an opportunity to get justice for their mistreatment. However, after discussion amongst themselves, the slave owners refused to concede to the demands of their slaves. Due to the mounting pressure from both sides, Nerva feared violent outbreaks from the side who came off worse in the confrontation and therefore refused to listen to anymore of the slaves complaints. Claiming that they would not face repercussions for their actions, Nerva told the slaves to disperse and return to their masters. However, the slaves instead decided amongst themselves to turn to a life of banditry [2] Having failed to put down a slave revolt which then rapidly escalated into the Second Servile War Nerva was replaced at the end of his term by Lucius Licinius Lucullus.[3]

References

  1. ↑ Cassius Dio, Roman History, Book 27, Fragment 101
  2. ↑ Cassius Dio, The Actions of the Roman Governor of Sicily, Publius Licinius Nerva, in 104 B.C., Third Century A.D. In Brent D. Shaw (ed), Spartcus and the Slave Wars: A Brief History with Documents (The Bedford Series in History and Culture) (pp. 121-122). Palgrave Macmillan: Boston; New York.
  3. ↑ Diodorus Siculus, Library of History, Book 36, ch.8
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