A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology

2. M.CocceiusNerva, who died A. D. 33, was probably the son of the consul of B. C. 36: he was the grandfather of the emperor Nerva. This Nerva was consul with C. Vibius Rufinus, A. D. 22: Tacitus (Tac. Ann. 4.58) says that he had been consul. He was one of the intimate friends of Tiberius Caesar, who gave him the superintendence of the aqueducts of Rome (Frontinus, De Aquaeduct. ii.). Nerva accompanied Tiberius in his retirement from Rome A. D. 26. In the year A. D. 33, he resolutely starved himself to death, notwithstanding the intreaties of Tiberius, whose constant companion he was. Tacitus (Tac. Ann. 6.26) and Dio Cassius (58.21) give different reasons for this resolution of Nerva, but we may infer from both of them that Nerva was tired of his master. Tacitus says, that he was profoundly skilled in the law. He is often mentioned in the Digest (43. tit. 8. s. 2; 16. tit. 3. s. 32), and he wrote several legal works, but the title of no one of them is mentioned.