Trajan: The Emperor
Marcus Ulpius Traianus (September 18, 53 - August 8, 117) was born into a non-patrician family in modern-day Spain, but over the course of his life, he achieved greater and greater power. His rise began under the reign of the Roman emperor Domitian, for whom he served as a general in the Roman army. He was a great success as a general, dealing mainly with revolts along the German frontier. His finest achievement prior to becoming Emperor of Rome was his contribution to putting down the Revolt of Saturnius in 89, in which two legions joined forces due to a grudge Saturnius held against Domitian. In 96, Domitian died and was replaced on the throne by Nerva. An old and childless Senate member, Nerva was unpopular with the army, and after a turbulent year of rule, he made a politically sound choice by officially adopting the popular Traianus to satisfy the rebellious soldiers. Nerva died shortly thereafter, in 98, and Marcus Ulpius Nerva Traianus became Trajan, Emperor of Rome.
Trajan is one of the most highly-regarded Roman Emperors in history, being second in 18th-century historian Edward Gibbon's list of "Five Good Emperors." His impact on Rome was seen everywhere in daily life, and still can be seen to this day. As a civilian administrator, Trajan is best known for his extensive public building program, which reshaped the city with such magnificent constructions as Trajan's Forum, Trajan's Market, and the famous Trajan's Column. However, Trajan's forte was his military prowess. In 101, he launched a campaign against the Dacians and their king, Decebalus, who lived in modern-day Romania. After defeating the Dacian army in 102, Trajan returned to Rome, only to go to fight the pesky Dacians again in 105. This time, the Dacians were utterly defeated, and the kingdom of Dacia was officially integrated into the Roman Empire in 106. After annexing various other smaller kingdoms, Trajan launched his final campaign against Parthia (in modern-day Iran) in 113. In 116, he expanded the Roman Empire to its farthest extent in its history. However, while returning back to Rome in 117, Trajan suffered a stroke and died en route. He was deified by the Senate, and his ashes were laid to rest under Trajan's Column. His adopted son, known more commonly as the Emperor Hadrian, succeeded him on the throne. The legacy of Trajan lived on, however: his name was so revered that every new emperor was crowned with the prayer, "Felicior Augusto, melior Traiano," which roughly means, "May you be as lucky as Augustus and as great as Trajan." The Emperor Trajan had a great impact on not only Rome, but also the entire world: he was the most powerful ally in the world, as well as the deadliest enemy at the time. His long-lasting additions to the Romans, both to the city and to the empire, continues to amaze us today.
Trajan is one of the most highly-regarded Roman Emperors in history, being second in 18th-century historian Edward Gibbon's list of "Five Good Emperors." His impact on Rome was seen everywhere in daily life, and still can be seen to this day. As a civilian administrator, Trajan is best known for his extensive public building program, which reshaped the city with such magnificent constructions as Trajan's Forum, Trajan's Market, and the famous Trajan's Column. However, Trajan's forte was his military prowess. In 101, he launched a campaign against the Dacians and their king, Decebalus, who lived in modern-day Romania. After defeating the Dacian army in 102, Trajan returned to Rome, only to go to fight the pesky Dacians again in 105. This time, the Dacians were utterly defeated, and the kingdom of Dacia was officially integrated into the Roman Empire in 106. After annexing various other smaller kingdoms, Trajan launched his final campaign against Parthia (in modern-day Iran) in 113. In 116, he expanded the Roman Empire to its farthest extent in its history. However, while returning back to Rome in 117, Trajan suffered a stroke and died en route. He was deified by the Senate, and his ashes were laid to rest under Trajan's Column. His adopted son, known more commonly as the Emperor Hadrian, succeeded him on the throne. The legacy of Trajan lived on, however: his name was so revered that every new emperor was crowned with the prayer, "Felicior Augusto, melior Traiano," which roughly means, "May you be as lucky as Augustus and as great as Trajan." The Emperor Trajan had a great impact on not only Rome, but also the entire world: he was the most powerful ally in the world, as well as the deadliest enemy at the time. His long-lasting additions to the Romans, both to the city and to the empire, continues to amaze us today.
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