1. TRAJAN
Social Studies for 9th EGB
Teacher: Mauricio Torres

2. 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.

3. 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!

4. 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

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. Expanding the Empire

8. 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.

9. Triumphal Arch in Algeria

10. 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!

11. Welfare programs
• He created a welfare program
called Alimenta.
• With it, he was able to help orphans
and poor children all throughout
Italy.

12. Death
• He died on his way back
from Mesopotamia. He
was old, tired and ill.
• His ashes were buried
underneath his columm in
Rome.

13. 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.