Emperor Trajan sends laureatae to the Roman Senate at Rome on account of his victories and being conqueror of Parthia.
Emperor Trajan: The Zenith of Roman Power and Philanthropy
Marcus Ulpius Nerva Traianus, commonly known as Trajan (born September 18, 53 AD – died August 9 or 11, 117 AD), reigned as Roman emperor from 98 to 117 AD. Officially honored by the Roman Senate with the prestigious title of optimus princeps, or "best ruler," Trajan's legacy is indelibly marked by his extraordinary success as a soldier-emperor. His reign presided over the most significant military expansion in Roman history, culminating in the Roman Empire reaching its maximum territorial extent just before his death. Beyond his martial achievements, Trajan is also celebrated for his profoundly philanthropic administration, characterized by extensive public building programs that transformed the cityscape of Rome and innovative social welfare policies benefiting its citizens. These dual aspects of his rule solidified his enduring reputation as the second of the revered Five Good Emperors, a period synonymous with internal peace within the vast Empire and widespread prosperity across the Mediterranean world.
The Rise of a Provincial Roman: Trajan's Early Life and Path to Power
Trajan was born in Italica, a significant Italic settlement located near modern-day Seville in present-day Spain, within the Roman province of Hispania Baetica. While some later historians, perhaps misleadingly, labeled him as a provincial due to his birthplace outside of Italy, his distinguished Ulpia gens (clan) actually originated from Umbria in central Italy. He belonged to a prominent senatorial family, underscoring his deep roots within the Roman aristocracy. Trajan's ascent to prominence began during the reign of Emperor Domitian. Serving as a legatus legionis, a high-ranking commander of a Roman legion, in Hispania Tarraconensis, Trajan notably demonstrated his loyalty and military acumen in 89 AD by supporting Domitian against the significant revolt on the Rhine led by Lucius Antonius Saturninus. This early display of unwavering allegiance and military capability undoubtedly paved his way for future advancements.
In September 96 AD, Domitian's assassination led to the accession of the elderly and childless Nerva. Nerva's brief reign, however, proved challenging and unpopular, particularly with the powerful Roman army. After a tumultuous year marked by political instability, and crucially, a revolt by disgruntled members of the elite Praetorian Guard, Nerva made a pivotal decision: he adopted the highly respected and popular Trajan as his heir and designated successor in 97 AD. This strategic adoption, sometimes seen as a means to secure his own position and quell military dissent, ensured a stable transition of power. Nerva subsequently died in 98 AD, and Trajan succeeded him without incident, marking a peaceful transfer of imperial authority, a rarity in Roman history, and ushering in a new era for the Empire.
A Reign of Grandeur: Military Triumphs and Civilian Achievements
As a civilian administrator, Emperor Trajan is primarily remembered for his ambitious and extensive public building program, which dramatically reshaped the monumental core of Rome and left behind an array of iconic, enduring landmarks. These include the magnificent Trajan's Forum, the bustling Trajan's Market, and the iconic Trajan's Column, each a testament to his vision and the Empire's might.
- Military Expansion and Conquests: Trajan's military genius dramatically expanded the Roman Empire.
- Annexation of Nabataea (106 AD): Early in his reign, he strategically annexed the Nabataean Kingdom, a wealthy Arab state known for its control of lucrative trade routes, transforming it into the Roman province of Arabia Petraea. This acquisition secured crucial trade routes and further solidified Roman control over the Levant.
- Conquest of Dacia (101-102 AD & 105-106 AD): Trajan's most celebrated military campaign involved two major wars against the powerful Dacian kingdom, located north of the Danube. His decisive victories led to the creation of the province of Dacia, which greatly enriched the Empire, as the newly conquered territory possessed vast and valuable gold mines, directly funding many of Trajan's public works and social programs. The details of these campaigns are famously immortalized on Trajan's Column.
- War against the Parthian Empire (113-117 AD): Towards the end of his reign, Trajan embarked on a monumental war against Rome's long-standing eastern rival, the Parthian Empire. This ambitious campaign saw Roman legions pushing deep into Parthian territory, culminating in the sack of their capital, Ctesiphon. The war resulted in the annexation of strategically vital regions such as Armenia, Mesopotamia, and potentially even Assyria, extending Roman influence further east than ever before.
- Public Works and Social Reforms: Trajan's dedication to improving the lives of Roman citizens was evident in his philanthropic endeavors.
- Extensive Building Programs: Beyond his eponymous Forum, Trajan commissioned numerous public works across the Empire, including new roads, bridges, and harbors, facilitating trade and communication. In Rome, his projects included the restoration of existing structures and the construction of new baths and circuses.
- Social Welfare Policies (Alimenta): One of Trajan's most impactful social initiatives was the Alimenta program. This state-funded welfare scheme provided financial support, often in the form of low-interest loans to Italian landowners, with the interest then used to provide food and education for orphaned or impoverished children throughout Italy. This program exemplified his commitment to the well-being of the Empire's most vulnerable citizens and contributed to his image as a compassionate ruler.
Trajan's Enduring Legacy: Architectural Marvels of Rome
Trajan's vision as an urban planner and patron of the arts forever changed the face of Rome. His architectural projects were not merely decorative but highly functional, designed to serve the needs of the bustling imperial capital.
- Trajan's Forum:
- Considered the last and largest of the Imperial Fora, this monumental complex was an engineering marvel and the political, commercial, and social heart of Rome. Designed by the renowned architect Apollodorus of Damascus, it included a vast piazza, the magnificent Basilica Ulpia, two libraries (one Greek, one Latin), and the Temple of the Deified Trajan, erected after his death.
- Trajan's Market:
- An innovative multi-level complex of shops and administrative offices, often regarded as the world's first true shopping mall. It served as a vital commercial hub, addressing Rome's growing economic needs and demonstrating advanced urban planning.
- Trajan's Column:
- Perhaps his most famous and visually striking monument, this towering 30-meter (125-foot including base) column is adorned with a continuous spiral frieze depicting Trajan's Dacian Wars in intricate detail. It served not only as a celebratory monument to his military victories but also as his tomb, housing his ashes, and a masterful historical document, offering invaluable insights into Roman military tactics and daily life.
Death and Succession: The End of an Era
In late 117 AD, while sailing back to Rome from his eastern campaigns, Emperor Trajan fell gravely ill. He died of a stroke in the city of Selinus, located in Cilicia (modern-day Turkey), on August 9 or 11. Following his death, the Senate, recognizing his immense contributions and popularity, promptly deified him, officially elevating him to divine status. His ashes, a testament to his monumental legacy, were then laid to rest at the base of Trajan's Column in Rome, a unique honor for an emperor. He was succeeded by his cousin, Publius Aelius Hadrianus, known as Hadrian, whom Trajan reportedly adopted on his deathbed. This adoption, though debated by some historians as potentially orchestrated by his powerful wife Plotina, ensured a smooth and legitimate transfer of power, continuing the era of stability.
Frequently Asked Questions About Emperor Trajan
- Who was Trajan and when did he rule?
- Trajan was a Roman emperor who reigned from 98 to 117 AD. He is widely regarded as one of Rome's most successful and benevolent rulers, earning the title "optimus princeps" (best ruler) from the Senate.
- Why is Trajan considered one of the Five Good Emperors?
- Trajan is the second of the "Five Good Emperors" (Nerva, Trajan, Hadrian, Antoninus Pius, and Marcus Aurelius) who presided over a period of unprecedented peace, stability, and prosperity within the Roman Empire, characterized by strong governance and public welfare.
- What were Trajan's greatest achievements?
- His greatest achievements include the greatest military expansion in Roman history, reaching the Empire's maximum territorial extent; extensive public building programs, such as Trajan's Forum and Column; and implementing social welfare policies like the Alimenta to aid impoverished children.
- Where was Trajan born?
- Trajan was born in Italica, near modern Seville in present-day Spain, within the Roman province of Hispania Baetica. Despite his birthplace, his family (Ulpia gens) was of Italian origin from Umbria.
- What is Trajan's Column famous for?
- Trajan's Column is famous for its intricate spiral relief depicting his military campaigns in Dacia. It serves as a detailed historical record of Roman warfare and daily life, and uniquely, it housed Trajan's ashes after his deification.
- Did Trajan expand the Roman Empire?
- Yes, Trajan is renowned for overseeing the largest territorial expansion in Roman history. He annexed the Nabataean Kingdom (Arabia Petraea), conquered Dacia (which brought vast gold mines to Rome), and extended the Empire into Armenia and Mesopotamia after defeating the Parthians.
- How did Trajan die and who succeeded him?
- Trajan died of a stroke in Selinus (modern-day Turkey) in 117 AD while returning from his eastern campaigns. He was succeeded by his cousin, Hadrian, whom he is said to have adopted on his deathbed.