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{{Infobox monarch | name = '''Trajan''' | image = [[File:London_Tower_Trajan.jpg|250px|center]] | reign = 27 January 98 – 8 August 117 CE | precession = [[Nerva]], adoptive father | succession = [[Hadrian]] | born = September 18, 53 <br> [[Italica]], [[Hispania]] | died = August 8, 117 (63) <br> [[Selinus]], [[Cilicia]] | spouse = [[Pompeia Plotina]] | child = ''None'' | parents = [[Marcus Ulpius Traianus (senator)|Marcus Ulpius Traianus]] <small>(Father)</small><br>[[Marcia (mother of Trajan)|Marcia]] <small>(Mother)</small> | dynasty = [[Nerva–Antonine]] | religion = [[Hellenism]] }} '''Trajan''' or ''Marcus Ulpius Traianus'', was [[:category:Roman emperors|Roman Emperor]] from 98 to 117 CE. Known as a benevolent ruler, his reign was noted for public projects which benefited the populace such as improving the dilapidated road system, constructing aqueducts, building public baths and extending the port of [[Ostia]]. ''Trajan'' was also a highly successful general and won three major conflicts against the [[Dacians]] and in the East, resulting in the [[Roman Empire]] reaching its greatest size up to that date. == Early Life == After safely escaping the [[Praetorian Guard]] mutiny, the ailing Roman Emperor [[Nerva]] began to question his own mortality and realized the urgency to name a successor. Without any children of his own, he recognized his only option was to adopt. The choice was not a difficult one. He named ''Marcus Ulpius Traianus'' - better known as ''Trajan'' - the recently named governor of [[Upper Germany]] as his “son.” On January 28, 91 CE ''Nerva'' died a natural death and ''Trajan'' was quickly named emperor of the [[Roman Empire]] by the Senate, the second of those who would become known as the Five Good Emperors. The new emperor was born on September 18, 53 CE in [[Italica]] ([[Seville]]) in the Roman province of [[Hispania]], becoming the first emperor born outside of Italy as his family had its origins in northern [[Italy]]. He came from a family with a very impressive military reputation. His father, a career soldier also named ''Marcus Ulpius Traianus'', had been governor of both [[Baetica]] in [[Spain]] and [[Syria]], a commander during the [[Jewish War of 67 – 68 CE]] as well as a senator and a consul. Young ''Trajan'' entered the army at an early age, serving as a tribune under his father in [[Spain]] and commander in the Seventh Legion in northern [[Spain]]. Luckily, Trajan’s usefulness was recognized by [[Domitian]], and he was able to avoid the paranoid emperor’s reign of terror. In January of 89 CE the youthful commander marched to the [[Rhine]] to help [[Domitian]] battle [[Saturninus]], the rebellious governor of [[Upper Germany]]; unfortunately, he arrived too late to be of any assistance. Despite this, Domitian showed his appreciation by naming ''Trajan'' as praetor (85 CE) and later a consul (91 CE). Following ''Domitian''’s assassination in 96 CE, the new emperor [[Nerva]] appointed the highly respected [[Trajan]] as governor of [[Upper Germany]] - a rather smart move by the emperor since it gained him the necessary support of the military. Shortly after his appointment in October 97 CE Trajan received a handwritten note from Nerva notifying him of his adoption. Although ''Trajan'' did not hurry to [[Rome]], he did think it necessary to solve the controversy surrounding the mutiny by the [[Praetorian Guard]]s who had wished to punish the assassins of [[Domitian]]. ''Trajan'' sent for the conspirators, especially [[Casperius Aelianus]] - the guard who had engineered the mutiny - to meet him in [[Upper Germany]] to receive a special commission. According to historian [[Cassius Dio]], ''Trajan'' offered “to employ them for some purpose and then put them out of the way.” When ''Nerva'' died in January of 98 CE, ''Trajan'' did not immediately return to [[Rome]]. Instead, he inspected the [[Rhine]] and [[Danube]] frontiers to not only safeguard against the [[Dacians]] but also to test the allegiance of many of the legions still loyal to [[Domitian]]. Finally, in the summer of 99 CE, he made his entry into [[Rome]] on foot where he mingled with both the citizenry and senators. [[Pliny the Younger]] (61-112 CE) - a lawyer, author, and governor of [[Bithynia]] - often corresponded with Emperor ''Trajan'' on a variety of topics. After [[Nerva]]’s death and Trajan’s ascension, ''Pliny'' wrote one of his many letters to the new emperor, ”May you then, and would through your means, enjoy every prosperity worthy of your reign: to which let me add my wishes, most excellent Emperor, upon a private as well as public account, that your health and spirits may be preserved firm and unbroken.” Although he maintained an excellent rapport with the Senate, ''Trajan'' was still considered an absolute ruler but not to the degree of [[Domitian]] or even [[Nerva]]. ''Cassius Dio'' wrote, “''Trajan'' was most conspicuous for his justice, for his bravery, and for the simplicity of his habits.” As an emperor who was concerned with both good government and the public welfare, he instituted an excellent domestic policy - providing for the children of the poor, restoring the dilapidated road system, as well as building new bridges, aqueducts, public baths, and a modern port at [[Ostia]]. Lastly, he continued his predecessor’s policy of undoing much of the harm done by [[Domitian]] by freeing prisoners and recalling exiles. == Trajan's Legacy == ''Trajan’s'' memory remained in [[Rome]] for generations to follow, primarily due to two gifts he gave the city - the [[Forum of Trajan]] and [[Trajan’s Column]]. The [[Forum of Trajan]], financed by the seized [[Dacia]]n treasury, was dedicated in 112 CE. The population of [[Rome]] at the time of [[Trajan]] and [[Nerva]] had grown to its greatest height, close to one million, and it needed (and people felt they deserved) a new forum, not only a marketplace and shopping center but also a center for politics, commerce and religion. The forum lay between the [[Quirinal]] and [[Capitoline Hills]]. On either side of the plaza were two semi-circular, six-story buildings, containing great halls and rooms for offices. North of the forum was a new basilica - [[Basilica Ulpias]] - that housed law courts. After Trajan’s death, Emperor [[Hadrian]] would add a large gateway and a statue of ''Trajan'' riding a six-horse chariot. The forum’s architect [[Apollodorus of Damascus]] had also designed [[Trajan’s Bridge]] across the [[Danube]] - the longest arch bridge in the world until its destruction in 275 CE. Unfortunately for the architect, Hadrian would have him exiled and later executed. Trajan’s second gift, [[Trajan’s Column]], was dedicated in 113 CE. At the base of the 100 foot column were a number of friezes depicting his battles against the [[Dacians]]. A stairwell took people to a viewing platform at the top, and at the column’s summit stood a statue of ''Trajan'' - the statue was later replaced by one of [[St. Peter]]. [[File:Download.jpg|centre|thumb|220x220px]] Like his predecessor, however, ''Trajan'' and his wife were childless and, like [[Nerva]], he chose adoption to solve the problem of an heir. He adopted and named his cousin’s son [[Hadrian]] as his successor. However, rumors persisted that Hadrian had never been officially adopted. Trajan’s wife [[Pompeia Plotina]] supposedly used a ruse - forging documents - to make the adoption official, thus making [[Hadrian]] the third of the Five Good Emperors. [[Category:Roman emperors]] [[Category:Roman Empire]]
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