TRAJANSocial Studies for 9th EGBTeacher: Mauricio Torres

The first non-Roman Emperor

• Trajan was born in the year 58 in Hispania, on the outskirts of what is now Seville.

• He rose through the ranks of the army, serving in places like Syria and Germany.

• Nerva adopted him as his heir, and after his death, Trajan became emperor.

A True Soldier

• It was no surprise that Trajan postponed his visit to Rome, for two years after becoming an Emperor:• He still had unfinished business in

Cologne!• He never ceased to be a general:• His presence was commanding, strong

features.• Tall and robust, he marched on to

Rome by foot with his soldiers with full armament!

Cleaning Domitian’s Mess

• As soon as he arrived to Rome, he set out to fix the undoings of Domitian:• He freed unjustly imprisoned

Romans, and returned a great deal of confiscated property.

• His popularity was such, that the senate named him: Optimus (the best).• Full name: Imperator Caesar Nerva

Traianus Divi Nervae filius Augustus

Expanding the Empire

• As soon as he had himself settled, he set out to conquer what would later be the province of Dacia, rich in gold. This would give the Empire a boost of natural resources.• Here he built his massive bridge

across the Danube, an engineering feat, even by today’s standards.

• To celebrate his victory over the Dacians, he built Trajan’s Column in Rome.

Expanding the Empire

• Afterwards, he conquered the Nabataean kingdom, along with its famous capital Petra.

• In the later years of his life, he defeated Rome’s old enemy: Parthia. With this victory, he claimed Mesopotamia and Persia for Rome; even though, this would not last long.

• Rome grew its biggest with Trajan.

Expanding the Empire

Peace

• After he conquered the Nabataean kingdom, there was a short period of peace.

• During this time he took to build many works of engineering and architecture:• Roads in Italia and Hispania.• A new Forum and maket (both

named after him).• And many triumphal arches.

Triumphal Arch in Algeria

Financial Bonanza

• With the gold coming from Dacia, plus his policy of devaluating the denarii, he had more money at his disposal.

• He hosted also one of the biggest gladiatorial festivals Rome had ever seen: • 5 million spectators• 11 thousand dead!

Welfare programs

• He created a welfare program called Alimenta. • With it, he was able to help orphans

and poor children all throughout Italy.

Death

• He died on his way back from Mesopotamia. He was old, tired and ill.

• His ashes were buried underneath his columm in Rome.

Personality

• He was known to be fair and just.• His courage went beyond stoicism.• His mind was clear and direct.• Honest, took no advantage of his office nor for

his friends.

• In short: simplicity, geniality and moderation were synonyms of his name.