Trajan, one of the most respected emperors of Ancient Rome, is often remembered for his military conquests, his extensive public building programs, and his role in expanding the Roman Empire to its greatest territorial extent. Understanding when Trajan died allows us to frame the end of a significant era in Roman history, one marked by stability, ambition, and imperial grandeur. Trajan’s death was not just a moment in time it was the transition point between the height of Roman power and the beginning of changes that would eventually reshape the empire’s structure and leadership. His legacy, both politically and culturally, continues to be studied by historians seeking to understand the golden age of Roman emperors.
The Life and Rise of Trajan
Early Background and Military Career
Trajan, born as Marcus Ulpius Traianus on September 18, 53 AD in the Roman province of Hispania Baetica, was a man of military discipline and senatorial lineage. His background as a provincial Roman rather than a native Italian marked a shift in the diversification of Roman leadership. As he matured, his career in the Roman army distinguished him as a capable and pragmatic leader, earning the respect of Emperor Nerva.
Becoming Emperor
Following the adoption by Nerva in 97 AD, Trajan became emperor in 98 AD upon Nerva’s death. His ascent to power was smooth and welcomed by the Senate and military alike. His reign marked the beginning of an era known as the Five Good Emperors, characterized by competent governance, reduced corruption, and stable leadership across the empire.
Trajan’s Accomplishments
Expansion of the Roman Empire
One of Trajan’s most enduring legacies was the expansion of Roman territory. His campaigns against Dacia, located in modern-day Romania, were successful and resulted in the annexation of the province. These victories were commemorated with the construction of Trajan’s Column in Rome, a monument that still stands today.
- Conquest of Dacia (101-106 AD)
- Annexation of Arabia Petraea in 106 AD
- Parthian campaign and brief conquest of Mesopotamia (114-117 AD)
The Dacian Wars were particularly significant as they brought enormous wealth to Rome through the acquisition of Dacia’s rich gold mines, boosting the economy and funding public works.
Architectural and Social Contributions
Trajan was a prolific builder. His reign saw the construction of many roads, bridges, aqueducts, and public buildings. The Forum of Trajan, including the famous Trajan’s Market and Basilica Ulpia, transformed the urban landscape of Rome and demonstrated the architectural sophistication of the empire. He also implemented social welfare programs, such as the alimenta, aimed at providing food for poor children.
Final Campaign and Decline of Health
Eastern Campaign and Overextension
Despite his many successes, Trajan’s final years were marked by overreaching ambition. His military campaign against the Parthian Empire extended Roman rule briefly into Mesopotamia, but this expansion was difficult to maintain. Local resistance and logistical challenges led to instability in the newly conquered regions.
In 117 AD, while returning from the East, Trajan’s health began to deteriorate. His ailments possibly stroke-related became serious as he traveled through the region of Cilicia, in modern-day southern Turkey. Despite efforts to recover in the warmer climate of the Mediterranean, his condition worsened.
Death of Emperor Trajan
When and Where Did Trajan Die?
Trajan died on August 8, 117 AD in the town of Selinus, later renamed Trajanopolis in his honor, located in Cilicia. His death marked the end of one of the most prosperous and expansive reigns in Roman history. He was succeeded by Hadrian, whom he had adopted shortly before his passing.
Transport of His Ashes and Commemoration
Following his death, Trajan’s body was cremated and his ashes placed in a golden urn at the base of Trajan’s Column in Rome. This was a rare honor, as burial within the city walls was typically forbidden. This symbolic act confirmed Trajan’s elevated status and the immense respect he commanded from the Roman people.
Legacy of Trajan’s Death
Transition to Hadrian
Hadrian, also a well-educated and capable military man, took the reins of the empire after Trajan’s death. While he initially inherited a vast and expanded empire, Hadrian shifted the strategy from conquest to consolidation. He abandoned some of Trajan’s territorial gains in Mesopotamia to ensure better control and internal stability within the empire.
How History Remembers Trajan
Trajan’s death did not tarnish his legacy. In fact, his rule set a standard for leadership that future emperors were often judged against. The Roman Senate, in a longstanding tradition, wished each new emperor to be more fortunate than Augustus and better than Trajan. This phrase encapsulated the high regard Romans had for his reign.
- Trajan is often ranked among the greatest Roman emperors.
- His reign is associated with justice, military success, and civic generosity.
- Historians credit him for ushering in a golden era of imperial administration.
The Significance of Trajan’s Death
Understanding when Trajan died August 8, 117 AD provides more than just a date in Roman history. It serves as a symbolic closure to a chapter in which Rome reached its maximum territorial extent and showcased a model of enlightened and energetic governance. Trajan’s legacy, marked by fairness, military strength, and architectural glory, continues to be revered not only by scholars of antiquity but also by those who admire leadership that balances ambition with duty. His passing marked a crucial turning point, and the events that followed would shape the evolution of the Roman Empire for generations to come.