Trajan was a Roman emperor (98–117 CE) who sought to extend the boundaries of the empire to the east, undertook a vast building program, and enlarged social welfare. These books will inspire your next trip. Emperor Trajan (53 – 117 CE) is often regarded as one of the greatest Roman emperors. Pliny in his Panegyric states that Trajan had returned free speech to Rome.10 Following his death every new emperor was sworn in with the words “May he be luckier than Augustus and better that Trajan”.11 Which itself speaks volumes for how good his relationship with the senate was and how good he was as an emperor. Roman aqueduct built during the reign of the Roman emperor Trajan in Segovia, Spain. Although his ancestors, whether or not original settlers, were undoubtedly Roman, or at least Italian, they may well have intermarried with natives. Why was Trajan considered a good emperor? To be sure, he was a “good emperor”, and Rome benefitted greatly by his rule. Born Marcus Ulpius Traianus, Trajan was a soldier who spent most of his life involved in campaigns. Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. He did not envy or slay any one, but honoured and exalted all good men without exception, and hence he neither feared nor hated any of them. What dynasty are the 5 good emperors from? He conquered many lands and grew the Roman Empire to its largest expanse in history. The message of his elevation was clear: Qualified, educated men from throughout the empire could aspire to the highest office of the land. Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. There remained the issue of the strained relations between the emperor and the Senate, especially after the supposed bloodiness that had marked Domitian's reign and his dealings with the Curia. Trajan, A good Emperor Between the years 96-180, five emporers ruled who were known as the "Five Good Emperors" These men obtained such a name beacause they earned the cooperation and support of the senate, which previous rulers failed to do. Pope Professor Emeritus of Latin Language and Literature; former Professor of Roman History, Harvard University. Rivers and lakes are the most degraded ecosystems in the world. Trajan, A good Emperor Between the years 96-180, five emporers ruled who were known as the "Five Good Emperors" These men obtained such a name beacause they earned the cooperation and support of the senate, which previous rulers failed to do. Trajan’s Column towered over a magnificent new forum, which boasted two libraries, a grand civic space, and a colonnaded plaza. Why is that good? In the late first and second centuries CE, the power and stability of the Roman Empire reached its zenith. Copyright © 1996-2015 National Geographic Society, Copyright © 2015-2021 National Geographic Partners, LLC. Trajan He added Dacia, Arabia, Armenia, and Mesopotamia to the empire, waging war against Decebalus and the Parthians. Here's how it works, New drugs identified as possible tools to fight COVID-19, Feeling frazzled? 450 butterfly species rapidly declining due to warmer autumns in the western U.S. Tree of heaven is a hellish invasive species. The devastation wrought by the Romans is depicted in elaborate carvings on the 126-foot-tall Trajan’s Column in Rome. When delivered the news that he was adopted by Roman Emperor Nerva, and even after Nerva died, Trajan remained in Germany until he had completed his campaign. (Take an interactive tour of Trajan's Column.). The correspondence also illustrates the wasteful expenditure of cities on lavish buildings and competition for municipal honours, an indication that the finances of the empire were already beginning to show inflationary trends. Ring in the new year with a Britannica Membership, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Trajan, Jewish Encyclopedia.com - Biography of Trajan, Ancient History Encyclopedia - Biography of Trajan. Now what? In one exchange, Pliny asked Trajan how he should handle the rapidly spreading sect of Christians, who, refusing to conform to normal religious practices, suffered from great unpopularity but were, as far as Pliny could see, harmless. Impressive examples survive in Spain, in North Africa, in the Balkans, and in Italy. Illustration by Radu Oltean, Nat Geo Image Collection. Trajan is considered one of the greatest emperors in the history of Rome. Many people have a very negative view of the Roman Emperors, because they believe they were tyrants. Unfortunately, Trajan died en route to Rome at Selinus in Cilicia, during August of 117 AD. India’s Bharat Biotech says its COVID-19 vaccine is 81-percent effective. Alternatively, the Five Good Emperors are known as the Nerva-Antonine Dynasty. The traditional donative to the troops, however, was reduced by half. Trajan (r. 98-117 CE) was considered the archetype of a good emperor (called optimus princeps in Latin, meaning 'best ruler') because of his.... See full answer below.