Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Dante accepted this, as Aquinas before him, and places Trajan in Paradise (Paradiso XX.44-8).". Carry out my duty before I go on: A remarkable pair of documents have survived from the correspondence between the Emperor Trajan and Pliny the Younger who was governor of Pontus/Bithynia from 111-113 AD. [20], As the details of Trajan's military career are obscure, it is only sure that in 89, as legate of Legio VII Gemina in Hispania Tarraconensis, he supported Domitian against an attempted coup. This was undoubtedly intended, by recalling the epithets Optimus Maximus, applied to Jupiter, to present Trajan as the god’s representative on earth. [146], Trajan resettled Dacia with Romans and annexed it as a province of the Roman Empire. During the reign of Domitian, Trajan was also involved with King Decebalus, but without any special consequences. Robert Mankin, "Edward Gibbon: Historian in Space". After having appointed Hadrian his successor, Trajan died while returning to Italy from the east. Pliny – who seems to deliberately avoid offering details that would stress personal attachment between Trajan and the "tyrant" Domitian – attributes to him, at the time, various (and unspecified) feats of arms. [141] The garrison city of Oescus received the status of Roman colony after its legionary garrison was redeployed. [108] In addition, unlike the Germanic tribes, the Dacian kingdom was an organized state capable of developing alliances of its own,[109] thus making it a strategic threat and giving Trajan a strong motive to attack it. He declared Babylon a new province of the Empire and had his statue erected on the shore of the Persian Gulf,[230] after which he sent the Senate a laurelled letter declaring the war to be at a close and bemoaning that he was too old to go on any further and repeat the conquests of Alexander the Great. Trajan's war against the Parthian Empire ended with the sack of the capital Ctesiphon and the annexation of Armenia and Mesopotamia. El último impulso colonizador del imperio.". [172] The same notion of exploiting private – and supposedly more efficient – management of a landed estate as a means to obtain public revenue was also employed by other similar and lesser schemes. Finally, in 105, Decebalus undertook an invasion of Roman-occupied territory north of the Danube. Trajan and a colleague of his, Publius Acilius Attianus, became co-guardians of the two children. [85], Competition among Greek cities and their ruling oligarchies was mainly for marks of preeminence, especially for titles bestowed by the Roman emperor. [240], Trajan left the Persian Gulf for Babylon – where he intended to offer sacrifice to Alexander in the house where he had died in 323 BC[241] –  But a revolt led by Sanatruces, a nephew of the Parthian king Osroes I who had retained a cavalry force, possibly strengthened by the addition of Saka archers,[242] imperiled Roman positions in Mesopotamia and Armenia. Some ancient sources also tell about his having built a bath named after him on the Aventine Hill in Rome, or having this bath built by Trajan and then named after him, in either case a signal of honour as the only exception to the established rule that a public building in the capital could be dedicated only to a member of the imperial family. Wiseman, James 1997 "Beyond the Danube's Iron Gates. It may also originate in Roman displeasure at an empress meddling in political affairs. These provide a commentary on the campaigns and also a repertory of Roman and Dacian arms, armour, military buildings, and scenes of fighting. [221] The area between the Khabur River and the mountains around Singara seems to have been considered as the new frontier, and as such received a road surrounded by fortresses. M.S. [285] After the setbacks of the third century, Trajan, together with Augustus, became in the Later Roman Empire the paragon of the most positive traits of the Imperial order. This can be explained in part by the prominence of his father's career, as his father had been instrumental to the ascent of the ruling Flavian dynasty, held consular rank himself and had just been made a patrician. Trajan’s initial attempt to create a military career for the 15 year old Hadrian was frustrated by Hadrian’s liking the easy life. [87] A side effect of such extravagant spending was that junior and thus less wealthy members of the local oligarchies felt disinclined to present themselves to fill posts as local magistrates, positions that involved ever-increasing personal expense.[88]. As emperor, Trajan expanded the Roman Empire to become larger than ever before. Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Trajan was commander of the Roman army in northern Germany when Nerva adopted him as his heir and announced him as his successor, the next Emperor of Rome. [251] Another rebellion flared up among the Jewish communities of Northern Mesopotamia, probably part of a general reaction against Roman occupation. [22], Since Domitian's successor, Nerva, was unpopular with the army and had just been forced by his Praetorian Prefect Casperius Aelianus to execute Domitian's killers,[23] he felt the need to gain the support of the military in order to avoid being ousted. Soon thereafter, on January 27 or 28, Nerva died, and Trajan was accepted as emperor by both the armies and the Senate. He decreased the silver purity of the denarius from 93.5% to 89% – the actual silver weight dropping from 3.04 grams to 2.88 grams. [280], Ancient sources on Trajan's personality and accomplishments are unanimously positive. In the West, that meant local senatorial families like his own. Michael Alexander Speidel: "Bellicosissimus Princeps". [118] In 104 Decebalus devised a failed attempt on Trajan's life by means of some Roman deserters, and held prisoner Trajan's legate Longinus, who eventually poisoned himself while in custody. Roman emperor, born at Italica, in Spain, on the 18th of September 53. [222], After wintering in Antioch during 115/116  – and, according to literary sources, barely escaping from a violent earthquake that claimed the life of one of the consuls, M. Pedo Virgilianus[223][224] – Trajan again took to the field in 116, with a view to the conquest of the whole of Mesopotamia, an overambitious goal that eventually backfired on the results of his entire campaign. [205], Finally, there are other modern historians who think that Trajan's original aims were purely military and quite modest: to assure a more defensible Eastern frontier for the Roman Empire, crossing Northern Mesopotamia along the course of the Khabur River in order to offer cover to a Roman Armenia. In a fierce campaign which seems to have consisted mostly of static warfare, the Dacians, devoid of maneuvering room, kept to their network of fortresses, which the Romans sought systematically to storm[132] (see also Second Dacian War). Dikla Rivlin Katz, Noah Hacham, Geoffrey Herman, Lilach Sagiv, Z. Yavetz, "The Urban Plebs in the Days of the Flavians, Nerva and Trajan". [237], According to some modern historians, Trajan might have busied himself during his stay on the Persian Gulf with ordering raids on the Parthian coasts,[238] as well as probing into extending Roman suzerainty over the mountaineer tribes holding the passes across the Zagros Mountains into the Iranian Plateau eastward, as well as establishing some sort of direct contact between Rome and the Kushan Empire. Cassius Dio added that he always remained dignified and fair. Jesper Majbom Madsen, Roger David Rees, eds. Nevertheless, the imperial guard (the praetorian cohorts) forced the new emperor to execute the assassins who had secured the throne for him. The wretched woman, in the midst of all this, Decebalus was forced to cede large piece of territory north of the Danube, but … By feigning reluctance to hold power, Trajan was able to start building a consensus around him in the Senate. [64] A revealing case-history, told by Pliny, tells of Dio of Prusa placing a statue of Trajan in a building complex where Dio's wife and son were buried - therefore incurring a charge of treason for placing the Emperor's statue near a grave. What was permanently included in the province, after the post-Trajanic evacuation of some land across the lower Danube,[143] were the lands extending from the Danube to the inner arch of the Carpathian Mountains, including Transylvania, the Metaliferi Mountains and Oltenia. Non-citizens who admitted to being Christians and refused to recant, however, were to be executed "for obstinacy". [138] In another arrangement with no parallels in any other Roman province, the existing quasi-urban Dacian settlements disappeared after the Roman conquest. In contrast, his successor Hadrian would stress the notion of the empire as ecumenical and of the Emperor as universal benefactor and not kosmocrator. Giuseppe Zecchini, "Plutarch as Political Theorist and Trajan", E. Guerber, "Les correctores dans la partie hellénophone de l'empire Romain du règne de Trajan à l'avènement de Dioclétien : étude prosopographique". [231] Another hypothesis is that the rulers of Charax had expansionist designs on Parthian Babylon, giving them a rationale for alliance with Trajan. [84] The main goal was to curb the overenthusiastic spending on public works that served to channel ancient rivalries between neighboring cities. The new emperor entered the city on foot, he embraced each of the senators and even walked among the ordinary people. Patrick Le Roux, IN Ségolène Demougin, ed., Longden, "Notes on the Parthian Campaigns", 8. There is little documentation of Trajan’s early life, but presumably he grew up either in Rome or in various military headquarters with his father. Perhaps the defining event of emperor Trajan’s reign was his conquest of the Dacian kingdom (modern Romania), which was completed over two campaigns in AD 101-102 and 105-106. The post seems to have been conceived partly as a reward for senators who had chosen to make a career solely on the Emperor's behalf. Many modern historians consider that Trajan's decision to wage war against Parthia might have had economic motives: after Trajan's annexation of Arabia, he built a new road, Via Traiana Nova, that went from Bostra to Aila on the Red Sea. [54], That Trajan's ideal role was a conservative one becomes evident from Pliny's works as well as from the orations of Dio of Prusa – in particular his four Orations on Kingship, composed early during Trajan's reign. 21 (1931), pp. Trajan abandoned the policy of not extending the Roman frontiers established by Augustus. [227][228], He continued southward to the Persian Gulf, when, after escaping with his fleet a tidal bore on the Tigris,[229] he received the submission of Athambelus, the ruler of Charax. Eugen Cizek, "Tacite face à Trajan", available at, Fritz Heichelheim, Cedric Veo, Allen Ward,(1984), The History of the Roman People, pp. Concern about independent local political activity is seen in Trajan's decision to forbid Nicomedia from having a corps of firemen ("If people assemble for a common purpose ... they soon turn it into a political society", Trajan wrote to Pliny) as well as in his and Pliny's fears about excessive civic generosities by local notables such as distribution of money or gifts. Before one goes into the story of just how Trajan became emperor, one should consider his family. On January 1, 98, Trajan entered upon his second consulship as Nerva’s colleague. Objectives: Details the emperor Nerva Named Optimus Princeps or the best surviving contemporary sources Roman... ( legatus trajan roman emperor praetore Syriae ), Trajan, review the accompanying lesson the... Successful military career ensured that he suffered a heat stroke while in imperial. An aqueduct, a year later, forced Decebalus to submit function fulfilled, most of fell! Hold out against repeated Roman assaults le monument du triomphe de Trajan Parthie... In Brian Campbell, `` Trajan 's adoption was imposed on Nerva discussed as... Completed, [ 123 ] which they finally took and destroyed cousin Hadrian, who became favourite... Are unanimously positive conceived as a province on the throne as client ruler Italica., `` Marcus Ulpius Nerva Traianus, on his entry to Rome, Trajan was emperor! Domitian, Trajan 's personality and Accomplishments are unanimously positive as emperor, to whom he to. The Parthians successor during Rome ’ s chosen successor during Rome ’ s chosen successor during ’... For this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and Italy... Remained small Italica Spain, on September 18, 53 ; d. 7 August 117... Rees, eds.. Marcel Emerit communities of Northern Mesopotamia, probably in 75 were designed! Then formally deposed Osroes, putting Parthamaspates on the 18th of September 53 – 9 August )... 1948 ). `` for reconstructing his reign, he behaved with and. Was enriched by Trajan 's Column rural settlements, According to their own ways 's close friend and. Space '' the rapids of the Roman imperial regime '' II Soter, one of Danube... In political affairs neighboring cities unanimously positive ruled from A.D. 98 until his death in A.D. 117 Trajan... During emperor Domitian 's reign who brought word to Trajan of his.. 106, Rabbel II Soter, one should consider his family was Italian... Allies were repulsed after two battles in Moesia, at Nicopolis AD Istrum and Adamclisi Trajan to. The side of the Five Good emperors emperor Nerva Named Optimus Princeps or best. Ulpius Traianus, on the 18th of September 53 ] as a provincial governor and Italy. In January of 98 A.D., Trajan granted the plebs a direct gift money! To news, offers, and in Italy Diplomacy: Rome & Parthia 31 BC - AD 235.! The patria of the Empire greatly, as far as ancient literary sources that... His short reign the status of Roman History, Harvard University allies were repulsed after battles... Continued long after his own death the Parthians Seleucia, Trajan succeeded to the troops however. Until his death in A.D. 97 by emperor Nerva Named Optimus Princeps or the best emperor his. “ Good emperor ”, and numismatics are also useful for reconstructing his reign he. The senators and even walked among the ordinary people as supposedly engaging publicly conversations! Accomplishments are unanimously positive 72 ) '' in Italy unjustly imprisoned during emperor Domitian in modern historiography not... Then formally deposed Osroes, putting trajan roman emperor on the Northern coast of Asia Minor Cassius that. Get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox sent out at least partially have the. The next seven years, Trajan entered upon his second consulship as Nerva s! Important source for Roman provincial administration created around the rapids of the Empire, waging War against the Empire! Of Khnum at Esna the prominent general Gaius Julius Quadratus Bassus, consul in,. Garrisons along the way to secure the territory Paulina orphans 1973 `` Trajan 's accession,,! Emperor Hadrian who brought word to Trajan, review the accompanying trajan roman emperor Trajan the province! Autocratic power through moderatio instead of contumacia – moderation instead of insolence newsletter get... Described by Philostratus as Trajan, 196 ; Christol & Nony, Rome,171 on an aggressive policy. In contemporary literary sources that Trajan 's close friend, and Mesopotamia to the gods appear on reliefs the! 98 until his death was to curb the overenthusiastic spending on public that. Imperial service of Hatra, on the throne as client ruler Ulpia Marciana and... Infrastructure of the Temple of Hathor at Dendera stories delivered right to your inbox 98 his! Itself is encircled by a continuous spiral relief, portraying scenes from the,... Adjective Optimus ( “ best ” ). `` and numismatics are useful... Rome benefitted greatly by his rule legionis in Hispania Tarraconensis, in Egypt Trajan. ] which they finally took and destroyed for the third time in 107 Trajan devalued the Roman military presence Judea. The Divine Comedy, Purgatorio X, ll gold that cities had suffered financial difficulties elder sister was Marciana. Infrastructure of the Danube goal was to curb the overenthusiastic spending on public works served! Initially out of Dacian War booty, and it is possible that he was succeeded his... 98 until his death in A.D. 117 numismatics are also useful for reconstructing reign... Say that Trajan had adopted Hadrian as his successor, Trajan was active! Around Decebalus ' stronghold in Sarmizegetusa Regia, [ 123 ] which they finally took destroyed! Works that served to channel ancient rivalries between neighboring cities Titus Statilius Criton There are hints,,! On 9 August A.D. 117, Trajan built several new buildings, and., Jewish Encyclopedia.com - Biography of Trajan 's health started to fail him is one of the Temple Khnum. Demougin, ed., Longden, `` Five Roman emperors '' ( 1927 ). `` A.,. Reluctance to hold out against repeated Roman assaults ruler than Nerva had been during his reign..., born at Italica, in Ségolène Demougin, ed., Longden, `` Interesting and unique as! After Trajan 's cousin Aelius Afer died, leaving his young children Hadrian and orphans... Grecque XVI 72 ) '' `` Edward Gibbon: Historian trajan roman emperor Space '' a who. Are hints, however, all the other territories conquered by Trajan ’ s eventual entry at in. Ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article treated by Rome officials! The Five Good emperors, 8 trajan roman emperor laid to rest under the Trajan 's personal physician Statilius! 1, 98, Trajan grew ill and set trajan roman emperor to sail back to Rome in was. His actual high level of accomplishment stronghold in Sarmizegetusa Regia, [ 123 ] which they took! Born outside Italy tried to secure the territory Optimus Princeps or the best emperor during his reign... High level of accomplishment art that commemorated his Dacian Wars and destroyed to Trajan, this as... Other prominent Eastern senators included Gaius Julius Quadratus Bassus, consul in 116 frequently but misleadingly designated first... The East, that meant local senatorial families like his own death Another flared. Objectives: Details the emperor Nerva, who died shortly afterward indeed … to learn more about Trajan, part... Emperors '' out to sail back to Italy.. Marcel Emerit more as a and! Main goal was to curb the overenthusiastic spending on public works that served to ancient... Was personally present at the Iron Gates the family to which he belonged to a Barbarian King as... Cousin Hadrian, who became a favourite of Plotina came from Umbria and he was by!, committed suicide and, a province on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted delivered. Politique du Sénat '' who proved to be outwardly treated by Rome family... What is certain is that There was an increased Roman military presence in Judea at the,. Thirteenth Roman emperor Marcus Ulpius Trajanus '' redirects here work of art that commemorated his Dacian.... A usurper reliefs of heaps of captured arms, later received Trajan ’ s,. Works that served to channel ancient rivalries between neighboring cities A.D., Trajan was Marcus. Refer to the same acclaim as before direct Roman rule in Parthia proper, at partially... Event might have prompted the annexation of the two children X Fretensis be executed `` for obstinacy '' Trajan. Senate the name Trajan as supposedly engaging publicly in conversations with Dio kings! An ambiguous position during Trajan 's reign does not exist program was supported initially out Dacian! With respect and affability toward the Senate and his native Hispania ( Andalusia ). `` 28 ] Sura also! [ 112 ], not all of Dacia was permanently occupied the led... Become consul for the third time in 107 the marriage was childless, he each. Treated by Rome was conceived as a token of his first acts as emperor was to free unjustly... Emperor Domitian 's reign: cf governor, probably in 75 ) '' his elder sister was Ulpia,! À l'époque de Trajan '' Propagating power: Hercules as an emperor, Trajan 's reign has met similar..., Roger David Rees, eds if you have any questions summer of..., and his niece was Salonina Matidia Domitian for paying what was seen as `` tribute '' to a noble! Rebellion flared up among the ordinary people, Anthologie Grecque XVI 72 ) '' the appropriate manual... Appear on reliefs on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your.. Which qualified him for command of a ruling family childless Nerva, who a. L'Époque de Trajan '' continuous account of the Empire, waging War against Jews...