Trajan53 A.D. – 117 A.D.

His association with the people was marked by affability and his intercourse with the senate by dignity, so that he was loved by all and

dreaded by none save the enemy. Cassius Dio LXVIII.15

Key EventsChildhood Experiences

• Marcus Ulpius Traianus• Father had a distinguished

civil and military career (served as governor of Syria, Baetica, and Asia Minor)

• Served in a military tribune under his father is Syria in his late teens

Family

• Married Pompeia Plotina• No known children

Key Events

• Only 3 major wars during 19 year reign• Dacian Wars: first 2 wars fought against Dacia

(powerful kingdom lying north of the Danube frontier)

• 3rd war involved Parthian interference in Armenia; Armenia became a Roman providence and Mesopotamia was conquered

Military Experience & Major Consequences

Contributions

• The Forum Traiani (largest of the imperial fora)• Trajan’s Market• The Baths of Trajan• The Naumachia Taiani (ampitheatre for sea battles)• The Aqua Traiana (last of the great aqueducts of Rome)• New harbor at Ostia• Established colonies for retired Roman soldiers• Trajan’s Column (glorified Trajan’s military successes)• Upon return from the Dacian War Trajan mounted an

extravagant series of public games

Impact• Trajan left the army in Syria and returned back

to Rome to take charge of the Jewish uprising occurring in Cyrenaica

• Already afflicted by a circulatory condition (which he suspected as the result of poison) Trajan suffered a stroke, leaving him paralyzed

• Set a standard for future rulers of Rome because of his military exploits, positive relations with the senate, and expanding of the empire