Trajan: Optimus Princeps – History Archives

If we were to talk about emperors in the High Empire, several names could come to mind. Some are known for the cruelty with which classical sources describe them to us, such as Nero, Caligula or Domitian. Others, however, would be known to us for their greatness and good work for the Empire, as is the case of Augustus or Trajan.

Trajan is generally known, and has always been presented to us, as the emperor who brought the Roman Empire to its maximum expression and extension. He led multiple successful military campaigns to expand the limes. Furthermore, he would receive and promote multiple public works as a reminder of his rule, glory and prosperity.

In this article we will deal with the figure of the optimus princeps, his government and his transcendence from a critical perspective and in contrast to the classical sources. It should be noted that the latter are not very abundant and many have not lasted over time.

MARCUS ULPIUS TRAJAN

Trajan was born in the year 53 AD in Italica (Santiponce, Seville), in the province Baetica, within a family which did not have a senatorial tradition. His father, Marco Ulpio Trajano, was the first politician of the Genes Ulpia to enter the Roman Senate. He attained the rank of governor in various provinces under the rule of the Flavian dynasty and carried out several successful military campaigns. The Judean revolt was one of them.

Courses Honorum

Trajan, the future emperor, throughout history has been highlighted as a soldier rather than as a politician. Under the Flavian dynasty he managed to rise in his career by military merit, largely under the orders of his father in the Jewish war. This would occur specifically in the legio X Fretensis, of which his father was legacy(BLÁZQUEZ, JM. 2005, p19).

Together with his father, he was a military Tribune between the years 76-77, being in charge for 10 years. It is here that Trajan took proficiency in the art of war, which, along with his father’s notoriety, made him rise in the ranks. course honorum. would reach the positions of quaestor, praetor and legatus legionis of the laegis VII Gemina -cantonated in Hispania-. It is in the latter with which, in the year 89, he aided the revolt of Saturnino in Germania Superior, earning the trust of the Emperor Domitian (SUÁREZ, A. 2004, p274).

In the year 91, he rose to the rank of consul and, already in Nerva’s time, he was granted the government of the Germania Superior province, where he acquired considerable experience in administrative-border and political terms.

rise to power

When Domitian was assassinated, in the year 96, Trajan was governor of the Germania Superior province, with capital in Mainz, where he was at that time in command of 3 legions, the Legion XIV Geminathe legio I Adiutrix and the Legion XXI Rapax (SÁEZ, A. 2013, p66).

After the assassination, the senate decides to quickly select an individual with experience to avoid a new civil war. Thus, they will choose Nerva as Domitian’s successor, -to whom they will apply the damnatio memoriae- a mature and experienced ruler in politics.

However, Nerva was old and childless, so the senate would have time to choose a successor. But, a succession problem arose about to whom the government of the Empire should be bequeathed. This would be disputed by 2 Hispanic characters, who played a relevant role in the succession, Trajan and Nigrinus, governor of Syria.

the ideal candidate

Trajan was an ideal candidate. He is the son of a prominent senator and military man, his military and political career as governor had given him great experience in administrative and military matters, adding the support he enjoyed among the army. However, the latter is a great incentive in choosing him as Nerva’s successor.

The legions, when making relevant political decisions, were of great importance. Military force could be used as a deterrent, or to impose the authority of a prominent character. However, the acceptance of the emperor by the soldiers was gaining more and more weight and importance in Roman politics, becoming, in later years, indispensable for stability. But Trajan, in addition to having the strength and military acceptance, had other advantages that worked in his favor.

Adoption

A rebellion by the Praetorian Guard caused Nerva to finally agree to choose one of two possible successors in AD 97. The Praetorians demanded the surrender and punishment of Domitian’s assassins by surrounding the imperial palace and taking Nerva captive. The emperor had to agree to his demands and his authority was decimated and humiliated. In this way, Nerva knew that, due to his health and political popularity, he should adopt one of his possible successors. This would serve as support for the duration of his government, which would finally opt for Trajan. (GARCIA AND BELLIDO, A. 1955, p4)

This was at the suggestion of the senate, as he was the most popular general at the time, with the support of the legions and that, in the event of a destabilizing event, he could act with them. In addition, he was also a leading senator, so the senate ensured an “ally” on the throne. (SUAREZ, A. 2004, pp265-266)

Thus, Nerva adopts Trajan in 97 and they would share a consulate in 98. From now on, he would have the title of caesar and His name would be Marco Ulpio Nerva Trajano. In the same year Nerva will die, allowing the rise of the caesar to the throne

IMPERATOR TRAJAN

The succession took place without incident or bloodshed, Trajan being an emperor enthusiastically received by many sectors of the empire.

Trajan received, through his second nephew Hadrian, the news of Nerva’s death while he was in Germania. Busy with the administration and fortification of the limes, he did not go to Rome until the task was completed.

Here begins, according to many authors, a time of splendor in the empire. Trajan would be an emperor acclaimed by the people as well as by the senate and the army. The provinces would experience an unparalleled economic boom, thanks, among other things, to the clean-up of finances, the wealth brought in by military campaigns (and expenses), the pacification of trade routes, etc.

According to Dio Cassius, he was not a man with a remarkable education and ability in terms of oratory and eloquence, although he knew who he should reward or not, to win the favor of the people.

One of his first measures was to call Elanio and the rest of the Praetorians who participated in the coup against Nerva to get rid of them, surely, for not trusting their loyalty (DION CASIO. LXVIII, 4).

From the beginning we see in the propaganda of the Hispanic emperor, an attempt to appear as a citizen. Much effort was focused on the emperor not appearing to be superior to the senate or other citizens. Maintaining a “simulated republic” is a common practice since the beginning of the principality. However, Trajan carried it out with more latent success than other emperors. In fact, the senate launched a smear campaign against Domitian – which is still possible today -, aggrandizing Trajan even more.

Economy

It is difficult to talk about the economic measures of Trajan’s government without mentioning Domitian. Both are continually compared in the sources in an indirect and subtle way in a balance that is always favorable to Trajan.

To a large extent, despite the propaganda to the contrary, the economic boom in the provinces came from an abundant economic surplus dating from the time of Domitian. And it is that, Trajano, spared no expense when he rose to power, both in wars and in public works or repairs or in large grants of money to the people.

According to the official history, as we have already mentioned, Domitian’s government was disastrous, leaving the Roman coffers practically empty. But the truth is that Domitian promoted several successful economic measures.

There was a consolidation of the provincial finances, which was possible thanks to the reform of the Latin municipalities at the time of the Flavians. This reform allowed many pilgrim cities to become municipalities of Latin law –ius latii-. Domitian would end up applying to all municipalities the jus latiiadapting the reform to the characteristics of each municipality, which would be of great favor to the Roman coffers.

It is true that Trajan eliminated certain measures promoted at the time of Domitian, but most of them will not be modified due to their effectiveness. It should be noted, the riches that brought with it the conquests of the emperor. These turned out to be of great benefit to the empire in the exploitation of resources, looting and sale of slaves.

To a great extent, the economic splendor of this period came from the conquests, which in turn came from previously sanitized coffers.

military campaigns

As we have seen, Trajan was an emperor who enjoyed outstanding popularity, as did his government. But, if his government stood out in anything, it was in the aggressive expansionist policy that he carried out to expand the borders of the world empire. The emperor excelled where he felt most comfortable, in war.

Trajan exercised an imperialist policy, since he was a person far from oral virtues and his resolutions would prefer to be carried out through battle.

Dacian Wars (101-106)

To understand the context of the campaign in Dacia, we must talk about Decebalus, a Dacian king who carried out an aggressive policy that worried Rome. Domitian would launch a punitive campaign against the Dacians in 89, which had the desired effect, but forced Domitian to sign a humiliating treaty. Rome had to pay a series of tributes to the Dacian monarch, which would do well to Roman pride and the image of Domitian.

I will not dwell too much on the development of the wars, since, although the bibliography is scarce, it deserves an article dedicated exclusively to them to explain and develop, quantitatively and qualitatively, all their aspects.

First Dacian War (101-102)

Shortly after ascending to the imperial throne and with the acceptance of the senate, Trajan undertook a first campaign against the Dacians in 101 AD, under the pretext of ending Decebalus and recovering Roman dignity, although it is likely that there was some kind of economic interest in the Dacia mines.

This military campaign is represented in the monument known as “Trajan’s Column”. A column with a series of reliefs that narrate the Dacian wars with a succession of scenes that run through the column in a spiral and where the emperor, the legions and the enemy army are represented.

The invasion was carried out with an uncertain number of legions -approximately 9 legions in total-, which participated in the conflict together with several vexillations -detachments- of the legio II Adiutrix, XXII Primigenia and XX Valeria Victrix (BLÁZQUEZ, JM. 2005, p24).

The First Dacian War will end, in 102 AD, with a peace and alliance between Rome and Decebalusin exchange for delivering the…