| Trajan | |
| Emperor of the Roman Empire | |
 Marble bust of Trajan at the Glyptothek, Munich |
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| Reign | January 28, 98- August 9, 117 |
|---|---|
| Full name | Marcus Ulpius Nerva Traianus |
| Born | September 18, 53 |
| Birthplace | Italica, ancient Hispania |
| Died | August 9, 117 (aged 63) |
| Place of death | Selinus |
| Buried | Rome (ashes in foot of Trajan's Column, now lost. The Roman Emperor was the ruler of the Roman State during the imperial period (starting at about 27 BC The Roman Empire was the post-Republican phase of the ancient Roman civilization, characterised by an autocratic form of government and large territorial The Glyptothek is a museum in Munich, Germany, which was commissioned by the Bavarian King Ludwig I to house his collection of Greek and Munich (München; Minga is the capital city of Bavaria, Germany. Events 1077 - Walk to Canossa: The Excommunication of Henry IV Holy Roman Emperor is lifted Year 98 was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Julian calendar. Events 48 BC - Caesar's civil war: Battle of Pharsalus - Julius Caesar decisively defeats Pompey at Pharsalus Events 96 - Nerva is proclaimed Roman Emperor after Domitian is assassinated Year 53 was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Julian calendar. This article is about the city in Spain. Italica is also the name of the cultivar group of the species Brassica oleracea, commonly known as Hispania was the name given by the Romans to the whole of the Iberian Peninsula (modern Portugal, Spain, Andorra, Gibraltar Events 48 BC - Caesar's civil war: Battle of Pharsalus - Julius Caesar decisively defeats Pompey at Pharsalus Selinunte ( Greek:; Latin: Selinus) is an ancient Greek archaeological site situated on the south coast of Sicily between Trajan's Column is a Monument in Rome raised in honour of the Roman emperor Trajan and constructed by the architect Apollodorus of Damascus ) |
| Predecessor | Nerva |
| Successor | Hadrian |
| Wife | Pompeia Plotina |
| Issue | Hadrian (adoptive) |
| Dynasty | Nervan-Antonine |
| Father | Marcus Ulpius Traianus |
| Mother | Marcia |
Marcus Ulpius Nerva Traianus, commonly known as Trajan (September 18, 53 – August 9, 117), was a Roman Emperor who reigned from 98 until his death in 117. Marcus Cocceius Nerva was also the name of a Roman emperor NERVA is an acronym for Nuclear Engine for Rocket Publius Aelius Hadrianus (January 24 76 &ndash July 10 138 as emperor Imperator Caesar Divi Traiani filius Traianus Hadrianus Augustus, and Divus Hadrianus after Pompeia Plotina Claudia Phoebe Piso (d 121/122 was a Roman Empress and wife of Roman Emperor Trajan. Publius Aelius Hadrianus (January 24 76 &ndash July 10 138 as emperor Imperator Caesar Divi Traiani filius Traianus Hadrianus Augustus, and Divus Hadrianus after The Five Good Emperors is a term that refers to five consecutive emperors of the Roman Empire who represented a line of virtuous and just rule — Nerva, Trajan Marcus Ulpius Traianus Major (about 30 - before 100 ( Latin: Major, "the elder" was a Roman senator who lived in the first century Events 96 - Nerva is proclaimed Roman Emperor after Domitian is assassinated Year 53 was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Julian calendar. Events 48 BC - Caesar's civil war: Battle of Pharsalus - Julius Caesar decisively defeats Pompey at Pharsalus The Roman Emperor was the ruler of the Roman State during the imperial period (starting at about 27 BC Year 98 was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Julian calendar. Born Marcus Ulpius Traianus into a nonpatrician family[1] in the Hispania Baetica province (modern day Spain), Trajan rose to prominence during the reign of emperor Domitian, serving as a general in the Roman army along the German frontier, and successfully crushing the revolt of Antonius Saturninus in 89. Hispania Baetica was one of three Imperial Roman provinces in Hispania, (modern Iberia) Spain () or the Kingdom of Spain (Reino de España is a country located mostly in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Titus Flavius Domitianus (24 October 51 &ndash 18 September 96 commonly known as Domitian, was a Roman Emperor who reigned from 14 September 81 until his death The Roman army was a set of military forces employed by the Roman Kingdom, Roman Republic and later Roman Empire as part of the Roman military The Limes Germanicus ( Latin for Germanic frontier) was a remarkable line of frontier ( Limes) forts that bounded the ancient Roman Lucius Antonius Saturninus was Roman governor of Germania Superior during the reign of the Emperor Domitian. Year 89 was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar of the Julian calendar. On September 18, 96, Domitian was succeeded by Marcus Cocceius Nerva, an old and childless senator who proved to be unpopular with the army. Events 96 - Nerva is proclaimed Roman Emperor after Domitian is assassinated Year 96 was a Leap year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Julian calendar. Marcus Cocceius Nerva was also the name of a Roman emperor NERVA is an acronym for Nuclear Engine for Rocket After a brief and tumultuous year in power, a revolt by members of the Praetorian Guard compelled him to adopt the more popular Trajan as his heir and successor. The Praetorian Guard ( Latin: PRÆTORIANI was a special force of Guards used by Roman Emperors Before being appropriated Nerva died on January 27, 98, and was succeeded by his adopted son without incident. Events 98 - Trajan becomes Roman Emperor after the death of Nerva. Year 98 was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Julian calendar.
As a civilian administrator, Trajan is best known for his extensive public building program, which reshaped the city of Rome and left multiple enduring landmarks such as Trajan's Forum, Trajan's Market and Trajan's Column. Rome ( Roma ˈroma Roma is the capital city of Italy and Lazio, and is Italy's largest and most populous city with more than 2 History The forum was built on the order of Emperor Trajan with the spoils of war from the conquest of Dacia, which ended in 106. Trajan's Market ( Mercatus Traiani) is a large complex of Ruins in the city of Rome, located on the Via dei Fori Imperiali, at the opposite end Trajan's Column is a Monument in Rome raised in honour of the Roman emperor Trajan and constructed by the architect Apollodorus of Damascus It was as a military commander however that Trajan celebrated his greatest triumphs. A Roman triumph ( la [[wikttriumphus triumphus]], Old Latin la triumpus, attested as the exclamation la TRIVMPE in the Carmen Arvale; via In 101, he launched a punitive expedition into the kingdom of Dacia against king Decebalus, defeating the Dacian army near Tapae in 102, and finally conquering Dacia completely in 106. Dacia, in ancient geography was the land of the Dacians. It was named by the ancient Hellenes ( Greeks) " Getae " Decebalus or "The Brave One" was a king of Dacia (originally named Diurpaneus &mdashruled the Dacians 87 – 106 and is famous for fighting three The Battle of Tapae ( 101) was the decisive battle of the first Dacian War, in which Roman Emperor Trajan defeated the Dacian In 107, Trajan pushed further east and conquered Nabatea, gaining the short-lived province of Arabia Petraea. The Nabataeans ( Arabic: الأنباط, Al-Anbāṭ) were an ancient Semitic people Arabs of southern Jordan, Canaan For the Achaemenid satrapy of Arabia see Arabia (satrapy Arabia Petraea, also called Provincia Arabia or simply Arabia, was a frontier After a period of relative peace within the Empire, he launched his final campaign in 113 against Parthia, advancing as far as the city of Susa in 116, and expanding the Roman Empire to its greatest extent. Parthia ( Middle Persian: اشکانیان Ashkâniân) was an Iranian civilization situated in the northeastern part of modern Iran Susa ( Biblical שושן ( Shushan) also Greek: Σοῦσα Transliterated as Sousa; Latin Susa) During this campaign Trajan was struck by illness, and late in 117, while sailing back to Rome, he died of stroke on August 9, in the city of Selinus. A stroke is the rapidly developing loss of brain functions due to a disturbance in the blood vessels supplying blood to the brain Events 48 BC - Caesar's civil war: Battle of Pharsalus - Julius Caesar decisively defeats Pompey at Pharsalus Selinunte ( Greek:; Latin: Selinus) is an ancient Greek archaeological site situated on the south coast of Sicily between He was deified by the Senate and his ashes were laid to rest in the Mausoleum of Augustus. The Mausoleum of Augustus was a large tomb built by the Roman Emperor Augustus in 28 BC on the Campus Martius in Rome. He was succeeded by his first cousin once removed Publius Aelius Hadrianus—commonly known as Hadrian. Publius Aelius Hadrianus (January 24 76 &ndash July 10 138 as emperor Imperator Caesar Divi Traiani filius Traianus Hadrianus Augustus, and Divus Hadrianus after
As an emperor, Trajan's reputation has endured throughout history. Every new emperor after him was honored by the Senate with the prayer felicior Augusto, melior Traiano, meaning "may he be luckier than Augustus and better than Trajan". Contrary to many lauded rulers in history, this reputation survived nearly undiminished for over nineteen centuries. Among medieval Christian theologians, Trajan was considered a virtuous pagan, while the 18th century historian Edward Gibbon popularized the notion of the Five Good Emperors, of which Trajan was the second. The 18th century lasted from 1701 to 1800 in the Gregorian calendar, in accordance with the Anno Domini / Common Era numbering system Edward Gibbon ( April 27, 1737 January 16, 1794) was an English historian and Member of Parliament. The Five Good Emperors is a term that refers to five consecutive emperors of the Roman Empire who represented a line of virtuous and just rule — Nerva, Trajan
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Early life and rise to power
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Trajan was the son of Marcia and Marcus Ulpius Traianus, a prominent senator and general from the famous gens Ulpia. Also known as the Nervan dynasty the Ulpian dynasty (after their common Gens nomen Ulpius or combined with the subsequent Antonine dynasty to form the Nervan-Antonian Marcus Cocceius Nerva was also the name of a Roman emperor NERVA is an acronym for Nuclear Engine for Rocket Publius Aelius Hadrianus (January 24 76 &ndash July 10 138 as emperor Imperator Caesar Divi Traiani filius Traianus Hadrianus Augustus, and Divus Hadrianus after Publius Aelius Hadrianus (January 24 76 &ndash July 10 138 as emperor Imperator Caesar Divi Traiani filius Traianus Hadrianus Augustus, and Divus Hadrianus after Lucius Aelius Verus Caesar ( January 13, 101 - January 1 138) became the adopted son and intended successor of Roman Emperor Hadrian Titus Aurelius Fulvus Boionius Arrius Antoninus ( September 19, 86 &ndash March 7 161) generally known in English as Antoninus Pius Marcus Ulpius Traianus Major (about 30 - before 100 ( Latin: Major, "the elder" was a Roman senator who lived in the first century The Roman Senate was a political institution in Ancient Rome. Ulpius, Roman Gens, including Marcus Ulpius Traianus (senator Ulpia Traiana - sister to the above mother of Publius The family had settled in Hispania (the Iberian Peninsula, comprising modern Spain and Portugal), in the province of Hispania Baetica in what is now Andalusia (in modern Spain), a province that was thoroughly Romanized and called southern Hispania. Hispania was the name given by the Romans to the whole of the Iberian Peninsula (modern Portugal, Spain, Andorra, Gibraltar The Iberian Peninsula, or Iberia, is located in the extreme southwest of Europe, and includes modern day Spain, Portugal, Andorra Spain () or the Kingdom of Spain (Reino de España is a country located mostly in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal, officially the Portuguese Republic (República Portuguesa is a country on the Iberian Peninsula. Hispania Baetica was one of three Imperial Roman provinces in Hispania, (modern Iberia) Andalusia (Andalucía is an autonomous community of Spain. It is the most populous and the second largest in terms of land area Trajan himself was just one of many well-known Ulpii in a line that continued long after his own death. His elder sister was Ulpia Marciana and his niece was Salonina Matidia. Ulpia Marciana (August 15-30 48-112/114 was the elder beloved sister of Roman Emperor Trajan. Salonina Matidia (July 4 68-119 was a daughter and only child to Ulpia Marciana and wealthy Praetor Gaius Saloninus Matidius Patruinus
He was born on September 18, 53, in the city of Italica. Events 96 - Nerva is proclaimed Roman Emperor after Domitian is assassinated Year 53 was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Julian calendar. This article is about the city in Spain. Italica is also the name of the cultivar group of the species Brassica oleracea, commonly known as As a young man, he rose through the ranks of the Roman army, serving in some of the most contentious parts of the Empire's frontier. The Roman army was a set of military forces employed by the Roman Kingdom, Roman Republic and later Roman Empire as part of the Roman military In 76–77, Trajan's father was Governor of Syria (Legatus pro praetore Syriae), where Trajan himself remained as Tribunus legionis. A governor is a governing official usually the executive (at least nominally to different degrees also politically and administratively of a non-sovereign level of government Syria was a Roman province, conquered in 64 BC by Pompey, as a consequence of his military presence after pursing victory in the Third Mithridatic A legatus (often anglicized as legate) was a general in the Roman army, equivalent to a modern general officer Tribune (from the Latin: tribunus; Byzantine Greek form τριβούνος) was a title shared by 2–3 elected magistracies in the Trajan was nominated as Consul and brought Apollodorus of Damascus with him to Rome around 91. Consul (abbrev cos; Latin plural consules) was the highest elected office of the Roman Republic and an appointive office under the Empire Rome ( Roma ˈroma Roma is the capital city of Italy and Lazio, and is Italy's largest and most populous city with more than 2 Along the Rhine River, he took part in the Emperor Domitian's wars while under Domitian's successor, Nerva, who was unpopular with the army and needed to do something to gain their support. The Rhine (Rhein Rijn Rhin Reno Rain Rhenus is one of the longest and most important Rivers in Europe at 1320 kilometres (820 mi with an average discharge Titus Flavius Domitianus (24 October 51 &ndash 18 September 96 commonly known as Domitian, was a Roman Emperor who reigned from 14 September 81 until his death Marcus Cocceius Nerva was also the name of a Roman emperor NERVA is an acronym for Nuclear Engine for Rocket He accomplished this by naming Trajan as his adoptive son and successor in the summer of 97. According to the Augustan History, it was the future Emperor Hadrian who brought word to Trajan of his adoption. The Augustan History ( Lat Historia Augusta) is a late Roman collection of biographies in Latin of the Roman Emperors their junior Publius Aelius Hadrianus (January 24 76 &ndash July 10 138 as emperor Imperator Caesar Divi Traiani filius Traianus Hadrianus Augustus, and Divus Hadrianus after [2] When Nerva died on January 27, 98, the highly respected Trajan succeeded without incident. Events 98 - Trajan becomes Roman Emperor after the death of Nerva. Year 98 was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Julian calendar.
Emperor
Relation with the Senate
The new emperor was greeted by the people of Rome with great enthusiasm, which he justified by governing well and without the bloodiness that had marked Domitian's reign. He freed many people who had been unjustly imprisoned by Domitian and returned a great deal of private property that Domitian had confiscated; a process begun by Nerva before his death. His popularity was such that the Roman Senate eventually bestowed upon Trajan the honorific of optimus, meaning "the best". The Roman Senate was a political institution in Ancient Rome. An honorific is a word or expression that conveys esteem or respect when used in addressing or referring to a person
Dio Cassius, sometimes known as Cassius Dio, reports that Trajan drank heavily and was a pederast. Lucius Cassius Dio Cocceianus ( Greek:) (c 155 or 163/164 to after 229 known in English as Cassius Dio, Dio Cassius, or Dio was Pederasty or paederasty refers to an erotic relationship sexually expressed or not between an adolescent boy and an adult male outside his immediate family "I know, of course, that he was devoted to boys and to wine, but if he had ever committed or endured any base or wicked deed as the result of this, he would have incurred censure; as it was, however, he drank all the wine he wanted, yet remained sober, and in his relation with boys he harmed no one. "[3] This sensibility was one that influenced even his governing, leading him to favour the king of Edessa out of appreciation for his handsome son: "On this occasion, however, Abgarus, induced partly by the persuasions of his son Arbandes, who was handsome and in the pride of youth and therefore in favour with Trajan, and partly by his fear of the latter's presence, he met him on the road, made his apologies and obtained pardon, for he had a powerful intercessor in the boy. For the other historical kings Abgar of Osroene see Osroene. Abgar V or Abgarus V of Edessa (4 BC - AD 7 and AD 13 - 50 "[4]
Dacian Wars
It was as a military commander that Trajan is best known to history, particularly for his conquests in the Near East, but initially for the two wars against Dacia—his cowling conquest (101-102), then delayed re-conquest of the trans-Danube border kingdom of Dacia—an area that had troubled Roman thought for over a decade with the unfavorable (and to some, shameful) peace negotiated by Domitian's retainers[5] In the first war c. B Syria - Belka Woman from Damascus Arab from Baghdadjpg|thumb|Inhabitants of the Near East late nineteenth century Titus Flavius Domitianus (24 October 51 &ndash 18 September 96 commonly known as Domitian, was a Roman Emperor who reigned from 14 September 81 until his death March–May 101, he launched a vicious attack into the kingdom of Dacia with four legions,[6] crossing to the northern bank of the Danube River on a stone bridge he had built, and defeating the Dacian army near or in a mountain pass called Tapae (see Second Battle of Tapae). Dacia, in ancient geography was the land of the Dacians. It was named by the ancient Hellenes ( Greeks) " Getae " The Danube (In Donau from earlier Danuvius, Celtic *dānu, meaning "to flow run" Slovak and Polish Dunaj In a range of hills or especially of mountains, a pass (also gap, notch, col, saddle, bwlch, The Battle of Tapae ( 101) was the decisive battle of the first Dacian War, in which Roman Emperor Trajan defeated the Dacian Trajan's troops were mauled in the encounter, however and he put off further campaigning for the year to heal troops, reinforce, and regroup. [7]
During the following winter king Decebalus launched a counter-attack across the Danube further downstream, but this was repulsed. Decebalus or "The Brave One" was a king of Dacia (originally named Diurpaneus &mdashruled the Dacians 87 – 106 and is famous for fighting three The Danube (In Donau from earlier Danuvius, Celtic *dānu, meaning "to flow run" Slovak and Polish Dunaj Trajan's army advanced further into Dacian territory and forced King Decebalus to submit to him a year later, after Trajan took the Dacian capital/fortress of Sarmizegethusa. Sarmizegetusa (also Sarmisegetusa Sarmisegethusa Sarmisegethuza Ζαρμιζεγεθούσα (Zarmizegethousa Ζερμιζεγεθούση (Zermizegethouse) was the most The Emperor Domitian had campaigned against Dacia from 86 to 87 without securing a decisive outcome, and Decebalus had brazenly flouted the terms of the peace (89 AD) which had been agreed on conclusion of this campaign. Year 89 was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar of the Julian calendar.
Trajan now returned to Rome in triumph and was granted the title Dacicus Maximus. The victory was celebrated by the Tropaeum Traiani. The Tropaeum Traiani is a monument in Adamclisi, Romania, built in 109 in then Moesia Inferior, to commemorate Roman Emperor 's Decebalus though, after being left to his own devices, in 105 undertook an invasion against Roman territory by attempting to stir up some of the tribes north of the river against her. [8]
Trajan took to the field again and after building with the design of Apollodorus of Damascus his massive bridge over the Danube, he conquered Dacia completely in 106. See also Roman Dacia Trajan's Bridge (Podul lui Traian Serbian: Трајанов мост Trajanov Most) or Bridge of Apollodorus Sarmizegethusa was destroyed, Decebalus committed suicide, and his severed head was exhibited in Rome on the steps leading up to the Capitol. Decebalus or "The Brave One" was a king of Dacia (originally named Diurpaneus &mdashruled the Dacians 87 – 106 and is famous for fighting three The Capitoline Hill, between the Forum and the Campus Martius, is one of the seven hills of Rome. Trajan built a new city, "Colonia Ulpia Traiana Augusta Dacica Sarmizegetusa", on another site than the previous Dacian Capital, although bearing the same full name, Sarmizegetusa. He resettled Dacia with Romans and annexed it as a province of the Roman Empire. Trajan's Dacian campaigns benefited the Empire's finances through the acquisition of Dacia's gold mines. The victory is celebrated by Trajan's Column. Trajan's Column is a Monument in Rome raised in honour of the Roman emperor Trajan and constructed by the architect Apollodorus of Damascus
Expansion in the East
At about the same time, one of Rome's client kings, the last king of Nabatea, Rabbel II Soter, died. The Nabataeans ( Arabic: الأنباط, Al-Anbāṭ) were an ancient Semitic people Arabs of southern Jordan, Canaan Rabel II Soter (ar-Rabil was the last ruler of the Kingdom of the Nabataea, ruling from AD 70 to 106 This might have prompted Trajan's annexation of Nabatea, although the reasons for annexation are not known, nor is the exact manner of annexation. Some epigraphic evidence suggests a military operation, with forces from Syria and Egypt. Syria was a Roman province, conquered in 64 BC by Pompey, as a consequence of his military presence after pursing victory in the Third Mithridatic Ægyptus redirects here See Egypt Province for the province of the Ottoman Empire What is clear, however, is that by 107, Roman legions were stationed in the area around Petra and Bostra, as is shown by a papyrus found in Egypt. Petra (from "petra" rock in Greek; Arabic: البتراء Al-Batrāʾ) is an archaeological site in the Arabah Bosra ( بصرى, also Bostra, Busrana, Bozrah, Bozra, Busra Eski Şam, Busra ash-Sham, Nova Trajana The Empire gained what became the province of Arabia Petraea (modern southern Jordan and north west Saudi Arabia). For the Achaemenid satrapy of Arabia see Arabia (satrapy Arabia Petraea, also called Provincia Arabia or simply Arabia, was a frontier Jordan, officially the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan (الأردنّ al-Urdunn) is an Arab country in Southwest Asia spanning the southern The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, KSA ( المملكة العربية السعودية, al-Mamlaka al-ʻArabiyya as-Suʻūdiyya) or Suudi
Period of peace
The next seven years, Trajan ruled as a civilian emperor, to the same acclaim as before. It was during this time that he corresponded with Pliny the Younger on the subject of how to deal with the Christians of Pontus, telling Pliny to leave them alone unless they were openly practising the religion. Gaius Plinius Caecilius Secundus, born Gaius Caecilius or Gaius Caecilius Cilo (61/63 - ca Christianity ( Greek Χριστιανισμός from the word Xριστός ( Christ)is a monotheistic Religion centered on the life and teachings Geography The Black Sea region loosely called Pontus by various scholars has a steep rocky coast with rivers that cascade through the gorges of the coastal ranges He built several new buildings, monuments and roads in Italia and his native Hispania. Italia, under the Roman Republic and later Empire, was the name of the Italian peninsula. Hispania was the name given by the Romans to the whole of the Iberian Peninsula (modern Portugal, Spain, Andorra, Gibraltar His magnificent complex in Rome raised to commemorate his victories in Dacia (and largely financed from that campaign's loot)—consisting of a forum, Trajan's Column, and Trajan's Market still stands in Rome today. Dacia, in ancient geography was the land of the Dacians. It was named by the ancient Hellenes ( Greeks) " Getae " History The forum was built on the order of Emperor Trajan with the spoils of war from the conquest of Dacia, which ended in 106. Trajan's Column is a Monument in Rome raised in honour of the Roman emperor Trajan and constructed by the architect Apollodorus of Damascus He was also a prolific builder of triumphal arches, many of which survive, and rebuilder of roads (Via Traiana and Via Traiana Nova). For Arabian road see Via Traiana Nova The Via Traiana was an ancient Roman road The Via Traiana Nova (previously known as the King's Highway) was rebuilt by Trajan.
One notable act of Trajan was the hosting of a three-month gladiatorial festival in the great Colosseum in Rome (the precise date of this festival is unknown). Gladiators (gladiatores "swordsmen" or "one who uses a sword" from la ''gladius'' "sword" were professional fighters in Ancient Rome who fought The Colosseum or Roman Coliseum, originally the Flavian Amphitheatre ( Latin: Amphitheatrum Flavium, Italian Anfiteatro Flavio Combining chariot racing, beast fights and close-quarters gladiatorial bloodshed, this gory spectacle reputedly left 11,000 dead (mostly slaves and criminals, not to mention the thousands of ferocious beasts killed alongside them) and attracted a total of five million spectators over the course of the festival.
Maximum extent of the Empire
In 113, he embarked on his last campaign, provoked by Parthia's decision to put an unacceptable king on the throne of Armenia, a kingdom over which the two great empires had shared hegemony since the time of Nero some fifty years earlier. Parthia ( Middle Persian: اشکانیان Ashkâniân) was an Iranian civilization situated in the northeastern part of modern Iran Armenia (Հայաստան transliterated: Hayastan,) officially the Republic of Armenia (Հայաստանի Հանրապետություն Hayastani Hegemony (hɨˈdʒɛməni (Amer /hɨˈɡɛməni/ (Brit (ἡγεμονία hēgemonía) is a concept that has been used to describe and explain the dominance of one social Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus ( December 15, 37 – June 9, 68) born Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus, also called Trajan marched first on Armenia, deposed the king and annexed it to the Roman Empire. Then he turned south into Parthia itself, taking the cities of Babylon, Seleucia and finally the capital of Ctesiphon in 116. Babylon was a City-state of ancient Mesopotamia, the remains of which can be found in present-day Al Hillah, Babil Province, Iraq For the Syrian seaport of the same name that figures in the travels of Saint Paul see Seleucia Pieria. For the Spanish saint see Ctesiphon of Vergium. Ctesiphon (قطسيفون تیسفون was one of the great cities of the Persian Empire He continued southward to the Persian Gulf, whence he declared Mesopotamia a new province of the Empire and lamented that he was too old to follow in the steps of Alexander the Great and reach the distant India itself. The Persian Gulf, in the Southwest Asian region is an extension of the Mesopotamia (from the Greek meaning "land between the rivers" is an area geographically located between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers largely corresponding Alexander the Great ( or, Mégas Aléxandros; July 20 356 BC June 10 or June 11 323 BC also known as Alexander III of Macedon (el Ἀλέξανδρος Γ' The Kushan Empire (c 1st &ndash 3rd centuries) was a Bactrian state that at its cultural zenith Circa 105 &ndash 250
But he did not stop there. Later in 116, he captured the great city of Susa. Susa ( Biblical שושן ( Shushan) also Greek: Σοῦσα Transliterated as Sousa; Latin Susa) He deposed the Parthian king Osroes I and put his own puppet ruler Parthamaspates on the throne. Osroes I of Parthia ruled the Parthian Empire c 109–129 He succeeded his brother Pacorus II. Parthamaspates, Roman Client king of Parthia and later of Osroene, was the son of the Parthian emperor Osroes I. Never again would the Roman Empire advance so far to the east.
It was at this point that the fortunes of war—and his own health—betrayed Trajan. The fortress city of Hatra, on the Tigris in his rear, continued to hold out against repeated Roman assaults. Hatra (الحضر) is an ancient ruined city in the Ninawa Governorate and al-Jazira region of Iraq. The Tigris is the eastern member of the two great Rivers that define Mesopotamia, along with the Euphrates, which flows from the mountains of southeastern He was personally present at the siege and it is possible that he suffered a heat stroke while in the blazing heat. The Jews inside the Roman Empire rose up in rebellion once more, as did the people of Mesopotamia. PLEASE TAKE NOTE************ Trajan was forced to withdraw his army in order to put down the revolts. Trajan saw it as simply a temporary setback, but he was destined never to command an army in the field again, turning his Eastern armies over to the high ranking legate and governor of Judaea, Brinius Carnix Maximus.
Late in 116, Trajan grew ill and set out to sail back to Italy. His health declined throughout the spring and summer of 117, and by the time he had reached Selinus in Cilicia which was afterwards called Trajanopolis, he suddenly died from edema on August 9. Geography Cilicia extended along the Aegean coast east from Pamphylia, to Mount Amanus ( Gavurdağı Mount) which separated it from Syria Oedema (or Edema in American English formerly known as dropsy or hydropsy, is the increase of Interstitial fluid in any organ &mdash swelling Some say that he had adopted Hadrian as his successor, but others that it was his wife Pompeia Plotina who hired someone to impersonate him after he had died. Publius Aelius Hadrianus (January 24 76 &ndash July 10 138 as emperor Imperator Caesar Divi Traiani filius Traianus Hadrianus Augustus, and Divus Hadrianus after Pompeia Plotina Claudia Phoebe Piso (d 121/122 was a Roman Empress and wife of Roman Emperor Trajan. Hadrian, upon becoming ruler, returned Mesopotamia to Parthian rule. Publius Aelius Hadrianus (January 24 76 &ndash July 10 138 as emperor Imperator Caesar Divi Traiani filius Traianus Hadrianus Augustus, and Divus Hadrianus after However, all the other territories conquered by Trajan were retained. Trajan's ashes were laid to rest underneath Trajan's column, the monument commemorating his success.
Trajan's legacy
Unlike many lauded rulers in history, Trajan's reputation has survived undiminished for nearly nineteen centuries. The Christianization of Rome resulted in further embellishment of his legend: it was commonly said in medieval times that Pope Gregory I, through divine intercession, resurrected Trajan from the dead and baptized him into the Christian faith. The historical phenomenon of Christianization (or Christianisation &mdash see spelling differences) the conversion of individuals to Christianity An account of this features in the Golden Legend. The Golden Legend (Legenda Aurea by Jacopo da Varagine is a collection of fanciful hagiographies or lives of the Saints that became a late medieval Theologians, such as Thomas Aquinas, discussed Trajan as an example of a virtuous pagan. In the Divine Comedy, Dante, following this legend, sees the spirit of Trajan in the Heaven of Jupiter with other historical and mythological persons noted for their justice. The Divine Comedy In Roman mythology, Jupiter was the king of the gods and the god of Sky and Thunder. He also features in Piers Plowman. Piers Plowman (written ca 1360 &ndash 1399) or Visio Willelmi de Petro Ploughman ( William's Vision of Piers Plowman) is the title An episode, referred to as the justice of Trajan was reflected in several art works. The Justice of Trajan is a legendary episode in the life of Roman Emperor Trajan, based upon Dio Cassius ' account (Epitome of Book LXVIII chapter 10
Notes
- ^ Justian Bennett, Trajan: Optimus Princeps, 2nd Edition, Routledge 2000, 12.
- ^ Augustan History, Life of Hadrian 2.5–6.
- ^ Dio Cassius, Epitome of Book LXVIII; 6. 4
- ^ Dio Cassius, Epitome of Book LXVIII; 21. 2–3
- ^ De Imperatoribus Romanis (Assorted Imperial Battle Descriptions). An Online Encyclopedia of Roman Emperors. Retrieved on 2007-21-07. “Battle of Sarmizegetusa (Sarmizegetuza), A. D. 105. During Trajan's reign one of the most important Roman successes was the victory over the Dacians. The first important confrontation between the Romans and the Dacians took place in the year 87 and was initiated by Domitian. The praetorian prefect Cornelius Fuscus led five or six legions across the Danube on a bridge of ships and advanced towards Banat (in Romania). Praetorian prefect (Latin Praefectus praetorio) was the constant title of a high office in the Roman state that changed fundamentally in nature The Banat is a geographical and historical region in Central Europe currently divided between three countries the eastern part lies in Romania (the counties The Romans were surprised by a Dacian attack at Tapae (near the village of Bucova, in Romania). Legion V Alaude was crushed and Cornelius Fuscus was killed. Legio V Alaudae, the Larks ' sometimes known as Gallica, was levied by Julius Caesar in 52 BC from native Gauls The victorious general was originally known as Diurpaneus (see Manea, p. Decebalus or "The Brave One" was a king of Dacia (originally named Diurpaneus &mdashruled the Dacians 87 – 106 and is famous for fighting three 109), but after this victory he was called Decebalus (the brave one). Decebalus or "The Brave One" was a king of Dacia (originally named Diurpaneus &mdashruled the Dacians 87 – 106 and is famous for fighting three ”
- ^ De Imperatoribus Romanis (Assorted Imperial Battle Descriptions, Battle of Sarmizegetusa (Sarmizegetuza), A. D. 105). An Online Encyclopedia of Roman Emperors. Retrieved on 2007-11-08. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1519 - Hernán Cortés enters Tenochtitlán and Aztec ruler Moctezuma welcomes him with great a Celebration “Because the Dacians represented an obstacle against Roman expansion in the east, in the year 101 the emperor Trajan decided to begin a new campaign against them. The first war began on 25 March 101 and the Roman troops, consisting of four principal legions (X Gemina , XI Claudia , II Traiana Fortis, and XXX Ulpia Victrix), defeated the Dacians. ”
- ^ De Imperatoribus Romanis (Assorted Imperial Battle Descriptions). An Online Encyclopedia of Roman Emperors. Retrieved on 2007-11-08. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1519 - Hernán Cortés enters Tenochtitlán and Aztec ruler Moctezuma welcomes him with great a Celebration “Although the Dacians had been defeated, the emperor postponed the final siege for the conquering of Sarmizegetuza because his armies needed reorganization. Trajan imposed on the Dacians very hard peace conditions: Decebalus had to renounce claim to some regions of his kingdom, including Banat, Tara Hategului, Oltenia, and Muntenia in the area south-west of Transylvania. He had also to surrender all the Roman deserters and all his war machines. At Rome, Trajan was received as a winner and he took the name of Dacicus, a title that appears on his coinage of this period. At the beginning of the year 103 A. D. , there were minted coins with the inscription: IMP NERVA TRAIANVS AVG GER DACICVS. ”
- ^ De Imperatoribus Romanis (Assorted Imperial Battle Descriptions). An Online Encyclopedia of Roman Emperors. Retrieved on 2007-11-08. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1519 - Hernán Cortés enters Tenochtitlán and Aztec ruler Moctezuma welcomes him with great a Celebration “However, during the years 103-105, Decebalus did not respect the peace conditions imposed by Trajan and the emperor then decided to destroy completely the Dacian kingdom and to conquer Sarmizegetuza. ”
References and further reading
- Ancell, R. Manning. "Soldiers. " Military Heritage. Military Heritage is a glossy bi-monthly Military History Magazine published by Sovereign Media December 2001. Volume 3, No. 3: 12, 14, 16, 20 (Trajan, Emperor of Rome).
- Bennett, J. Trajan: Optimus Princeps, 2nd Edition, Routledge 2001
- Bowersock, G. W. Roman Arabia, Harvard University Press, 1983
- Fuller, J. F. C. A Military History of the Western World. Three Volumes. New York: Da Capo Press, Inc. , 1987 and 1988.
- v. 1. From the earliest times to the Battle of Lepanto; ISBN 0-306-80304-6: 255, 266, 269, 270, 273 (Trajan, Roman Emperor).
- Isaac, B. The Limits of Empire, The Roman Army in the East, Revised Edition, Oxford University Press, 1990
- Kennedy, D. The Roman Army in Jordan, Revised Edition, Council for British Research in the Levant, 2004
- Lepper, F. A. Trajan's Parthian War. London: Oxford University Press, 1948.
External links
Primary sources
- Cassius Dio, Roman History Book 68, English translation
- Aurelius Victor (attrib.), Epitome de Caesaribus Chapter 13, English translation
- Pliny the Younger, Letters, Book 10, English translation
Secondary material
- Benario, Herbert W. (2000). Trajan (A.D. 98-117). De Imperatoribus Romanis. Retrieved on 2007-09-24. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 622 - Prophet Muhammad completes his hegira from Mecca to Medina.
| Regnal titles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Nerva |
Roman Emperor 98 – 117 |
Succeeded by Hadrian |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded by Domitian Marcus Cocceius Nerva |
Consul of the Roman Empire 91 with Manius Acilius Glabrio |
Succeeded by Domitian Quintus Volusius Saturninus |
| Preceded by Marcus Cocceius Nerva Lucius Verginius Rufus |
Consul of the Roman Empire 98 with Nerva |
Succeeded by Aulus Cornelius Palma Frontonianus Quintus Sosius Senecio |
| Preceded by Aulus Cornelius Palma Frontonianus Quintus Sosius Senecio |
Consul of the Roman Empire 100 – 101 |
Succeeded by Lucius Iulius Ursus Servianus Lucius Licinius Sura |
| Preceded by Lucius Iulius Ursus Servianus Lucius Licinius Sura |
Consul of the Roman Empire 103 with Marcus Laberius Maximus |
Succeeded by Sextus Attius Suburanus Aemilianus Marcus Asinius Marcellus |
| Preceded by Gaius Calpurnius Piso Marcus Vettius Bolanus |
Consul of the Roman Empire 112 with Titus Sextius Africanus |
Succeeded by Lucius Publilius Celsus Gaius Clodius Crispinus |
| Persondata | |
|---|---|
| NAME | Trajan |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES | Marcus Ulpius Nerva Traianus |
| SHORT DESCRIPTION | Roman emperor |
| DATE OF BIRTH | September 18, 53 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Italica |
| DATE OF DEATH | August 9, 117 |
| PLACE OF DEATH | Selinus |
Marcus Cocceius Nerva was also the name of a Roman emperor NERVA is an acronym for Nuclear Engine for Rocket For a simplified list see Concise list of Roman Emperors. For more information see History of the Roman Empire. Publius Aelius Hadrianus (January 24 76 &ndash July 10 138 as emperor Imperator Caesar Divi Traiani filius Traianus Hadrianus Augustus, and Divus Hadrianus after Titus Flavius Domitianus (24 October 51 &ndash 18 September 96 commonly known as Domitian, was a Roman Emperor who reigned from 14 September 81 until his death Marcus Cocceius Nerva was also the name of a Roman emperor NERVA is an acronym for Nuclear Engine for Rocket This is a list of Roman consuls Key Abbreviations Imp = Imperator suff The Roman Empire was the post-Republican phase of the ancient Roman civilization, characterised by an autocratic form of government and large territorial Manius Acilius Glabrio was the name of a Roman Consul in 91 conjointly with Trajan, who was afterwards emperor Titus Flavius Domitianus (24 October 51 &ndash 18 September 96 commonly known as Domitian, was a Roman Emperor who reigned from 14 September 81 until his death Quintus Volusius Saturninus was a Roman that lived in the 1st century and was a Roman senator during the reign of Nero and was consul in 56. Marcus Cocceius Nerva was also the name of a Roman emperor NERVA is an acronym for Nuclear Engine for Rocket Lucius Verginius Rufus (14 - 97 was a Roman commander of upper Germany during the late 1st century most notable for his refusal of the imperial purple in 69 This is a list of Roman consuls Key Abbreviations Imp = Imperator suff The Roman Empire was the post-Republican phase of the ancient Roman civilization, characterised by an autocratic form of government and large territorial Marcus Cocceius Nerva was also the name of a Roman emperor NERVA is an acronym for Nuclear Engine for Rocket Quintus Sosius Senecio ( ''fl'' 1st century was a Roman Empire politician Quintus Sosius Senecio ( ''fl'' 1st century was a Roman Empire politician This is a list of Roman consuls Key Abbreviations Imp = Imperator suff The Roman Empire was the post-Republican phase of the ancient Roman civilization, characterised by an autocratic form of government and large territorial Lucius Licinius Sura was an influential Roman Senator from Tarraco, a close friend of the Emperor Trajan and three times Consul - Lucius Licinius Sura was an influential Roman Senator from Tarraco, a close friend of the Emperor Trajan and three times Consul - This is a list of Roman consuls Key Abbreviations Imp = Imperator suff The Roman Empire was the post-Republican phase of the ancient Roman civilization, characterised by an autocratic form of government and large territorial Sextus Attius Suburanus Aemilianus, commonly abbreviated as Suburanus (date of birth or death unknown was a prefect of the Roman imperial Bodyguard Marcus Asinius Marcellus was Consul in 54 along with Marcus Acilius Aviola at the Emperor Claudius ' death Gaius Calpurnius Piso was a Roman senator in the 1st century He was the focal figure in the Pisonian Conspiracy of 65 A Marcus Vettius Bolanus was a Roman soldier and politician He served in Asia under Corbulo in AD 62 and was Consul in AD This is a list of Roman consuls Key Abbreviations Imp = Imperator suff The Roman Empire was the post-Republican phase of the ancient Roman civilization, characterised by an autocratic form of government and large territorial Titus Sextius Africanus was a nobleman of ancient Rome who was deterred by Agrippina the Younger from marrying Junia Silana.
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