TRAJAN, ROMAN EMPEROR

Reigned from a.d. 98 to a.d. 117; b. Italica, southern Spain, Sept. 18, 53; d. Selinus, Cilicia, c. Aug. 8, 117. After a successful military career and a term as consul in 91, Trajan (Marcus Ulpius Traianus) was adopted by the Emperor Nerva (96–98), who wished to strengthen his own position. On the death of Nerva, Trajan, consul for the second time, took over the rule. He was popular with the army and careful not to offend the sensibilities of the senate. From the year 100 unofficially, and from the year 114 officially, he enjoyed the title of optimus princeps. His reign was marked by an extensive building program in Rome and in the provinces, and a strict control over provincial governors. His conquests in Europe, Africa, and Asia brought the Roman Empire to its maximum extent. A rescript that he sent to Pliny (Pliny Epist. 10.97) on the proper manner of dealing with Christians established a policy, even if not so intended, that was largely followed during the succeeding century: unsigned accusations against Christians should not be accepted; Christians should not be sought out, but if denounced and found guilty they were to be punished; those who denied they were Christians and adored the gods should be pardoned even if they had been suspect in the past. These provisions were in keeping with his general policy of a serious but not fanatical concern for traditions.

Bibliography: r. paribeni, Optimus Princeps: Saggio sulla storia e sui tempi dell'imperatore Traiano, 2 v. (Messina 1926–27); Enciclopedia Italiana di scienzi, littere ed arti, 36 v. (Rome 1929–39; suppl. 1938–) 34:154–157. r. p. longden, The Cambridge Ancient History, 12 v. (London and New York 1923–39) 11:199–252. r. hanslik and m. bonaria, "M. Ulpius Traianus," Paulys Realenzyklopädie der klassischen Altertumswissenschaft, ed. g. wissowa et al. suppl. 10 (1965) 1035–1113.

[m. j. costelloe]