Trajan Optimus
53 – 117 · Generation VII · Roman emperor (r. AD 98–117) · Nerva–Antonine
Trajan (AD 53 – AD 117). Roman emperor (r. AD 98–117). Married Pompeia around AD 78. Adopted by Nerva; under him the empire reached its greatest extent, and the Senate voted him “best of princes.” Born at Italica in southern Hispania, son of a distinguished general and senator, he made his career under arms — supporting Domitian against the Rhine revolt of Antonius Saturninus in 89 and governing Germania and Pannonia before the elderly Nerva, pressed by his own Praetorians, fixed on him as successor. As emperor he raised the great forum that bears his name and widened social welfare through the alimenta, while his armies annexed Nabataea and Dacia and carried war to Parthia, bringing Armenia, Mesopotamia and Assyria into the empire as provinces. Falling ill on the voyage home in the summer of 117, he died of a stroke at Selinus; by tradition his ashes were laid in a small chamber beneath Trajan’s Column.
One of 12 people of Nerva–Antonine (30–192) in this archive. The adoptive emperors: for four reigns the purple passed to a chosen heir rather than a born one.
Parents
- Marcus Ulpius Traianus (29 – 100)
- Marcia of Italica (30 – 100)
- Nerva Cocceius (30 – 98)
Siblings
- Ulpia Marciana (48 – 112)
Partners
- Married Pompeia Plotina (70 – 122) in 78
Children
- Hadrian Aelius (76 – 138)
Life
- 53 — Born
- 78 — Married Pompeia
- 117 — Died