Year 96 (XCVI) was a leap year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. Events By place Roman Empire September 18—Nerva succeeds Domitian after the latter's assassination. The Flavian dynasty ends. This is considered to be the beginning of the Era of the Five Good Emperors. The Antonines dynasty starts. Under Nerva, the Roman Senate regains much of the power usurped by Domitian. Trajan becomes governor of Upper Germany. Construction begins on the Fo… (More on 96)