Trajan was born on 18 September 53 CE in Italica. A Roman emperor born in the province of Hispania Baetica, in what is now Spain, Trajan was the first emperor from outside Italy. A successful general, he was adopted by the emperor Nerva in 97 and succeeded him in 98. He conquered Dacia, in present-day Romania, after two hard campaigns, and its gold mines enriched the empire. Late in his reign he campaigned against the Parthians and took Mesopotamia, bringing the empire to its greatest territorial extent, although the gains were soon given up. In Rome he built a forum, a market and a column that records his victories in spiralling relief. Considered a model ruler, he died in 117 and was succeeded by Hadrian.
Before and after
- 1st centuryConstruction of Garni Temple
- from 50 CE to 53 CEIberian–Armenian War
- c. 50 CEEruption of Ambrym
- 24 October 51 CEBirth of Domitian
- 18 September 53 CEBirth of Trajan
- 55 CEBirth of Tacitus
- from 58 CE to 63 CERoman–Parthian War of 58–63
- 61 CEBirth of Pliny the Younger
- c. 63 CEEruption of Churchill
More in Wars, politics & history
- from 264 BCE to 241 BCEFirst Punic War
- 203 BCEScipio defeats Hannibal at Zama
- from 149 BCE to 146 BCEThird Punic War
- from 58 BCE to 51 BCEGallic War
- from 66 CE to 74 CEFirst Jewish-Roman War
- from June 68 CE to December 69 CEYear of the Four Emperors
The era
This moment belongs to the Ancient civilizations (3,200 BCE to 500 CE), writing, cities and empires. You can also browse everything in the 1st century.