Roman Emperor Trajan

Emperor Trajan (98-117AD) was the second of the "Five Good Emperors" and just the right emperor for the times. He expanded the empire further, he conquered the lands south-east of the Black sea and also succeeded in quelling the rebellious Dacians to whom Domitian had been paying a shameful ransom.

Trajan was also a great builder. He had a fabulous marble column erected in memory of the great and successful wars against the Dacians. The column is known as "Trajan's column" and is still standing in Rome . The artistic quality of the sculpture around this amazing column is not the best but it is certainly "neo-realist" and as such tells us much of those events.

The column was stood in a new forum which he had built and within this forum a grandiose library was built half of which contained documents in Latin and the other half in Greek. He also built a magnificent basilica, a triumphal arch and numerous statues adorned his forum. Throughout the empire he had new public buildings built such as theatres and baths. Bridges, roads and acqueducts were amplified and maintained.

Trajan was called "Optimus" by his people. He was a man of intellect as well as one of action and men of literature such as Pliny the younger and Plutarch were amongst his personal friends. He ensured that poor children were fed and assisted poor landowners to improve their properties through loans made at advantageous rates.

You might also have a look at what it was to be emperor or "imperator". A list of roman emperors. A general look at famous romans such as scaevola "the left handed".

Roman history | Roman Army | Ancient Roman Weapons | Rome Total War | Roman Emperors, Caesars and Leaders | caligula | augustus | Julius Caesar | Cleopatra | Emperor Nero |
Roman Empire | Economy of Ancient Rome | Roman Coins | Roman Art |Roman Architecture | Roads and Building | Hadrians wall |
Roman Government & Law | Social Structure and Class | Romans | Slavery | Senate |
Ancient Roman Religion | Pantheon | Roman Gods | Goddesses | god Jupiter | mars |Goddess Venus | hercules | Rome Vestal Virgins | Roman Catholic Church | Christian Persecution in the Roman Empire |
Roman Games, Sport and Leisure | Gladiators | Colosseum | Circus Maximus and Chariot Races | Roman Baths | Prostitution and Orgies in Ancient Rome|
Many aspects of Ancient Roman Life | Shopping | roman numerals | toga party |
About Rome Geography and City | Map of Ancient Rome | Maps |Pictures of Ancient Rome| Index of Ancient Rome | free screen savers | Ancient Pompeii |

Please email us if you feel a correction is required to the Rome information provided. Please read the disclaimer

"Roman Emperor Trajan" was written by Giovanni Milani-Santarpia for www.mariamilani.com - Rome apartments