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Trajan Facts & Worksheets

Emperor Trajan is renowned as one of ancient Rome's most esteemed and influential rulers, presiding over Roman history's most significant territorial expansion.

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Emperor Trajan is renowned as one of ancient Rome’s most esteemed and influential rulers, presiding over Roman history’s most significant territorial expansion. His reign, from 98 to 117 CE, marked the zenith of the Roman Empire, symbolizing a period of economic prosperity, architectural innovation, and relative peace known as the Pax Romana.

See the fact file below for more information about Trajan, or you can download our 26-page Trajan worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

BACKGROUND

  • Trajan, born Marcus Ulpius Traianus on September 18, 53 CE, hailed from the province of Baetica (modern-day Andalusia in Spain). 
  • Though not of Roman patrician stock, his family was well-established and highly esteemed within the provincial elite.
  • His father, also named Marcus Ulpius Traianus, was a victorious general and senator, achieving the prestigious status of Roman consul and governor, significantly influencing young Trajan’s upbringing.
  • The Roman military tradition shaped Trajan’s early life, fostering a robust understanding of leadership and strategy. 
  • His rise through the ranks began under Emperor Domitian, and his talent and loyalty caught the attention of Domitian’s successor, Nerva. 
  • Nerva later adopted Trajan as his heir, which significantly solidified Trajan’s path to the throne in an era when hereditary succession was not always guaranteed. 
  • By ascending to the throne, Trajan had developed a comprehensive military and administrative affairs background, laying a solid foundation for his future as a capable emperor leading Rome to its territorial apex.

TRAJAN AS EMPEROR

  • Trajan’s ascent to the imperial throne was a blend of merit, adoption, and the political foresight of his predecessor. 
  • Coming from a distinguished military family, Trajan had a prominent career as a soldier and commander. 
  • His early achievements included earning the ornamental triumphalist, a military decoration for his role in the Parthian war during Domitian’s reign. 
  • Later, his governance as a consul and work in various administrative capacities under Nerva showcased his skill in managing civil duties and military logistics, earning him respect and recognition. 
  • In 97 CE, in a pivotal move to secure a smooth succession and stability for the Roman Empire, Emperor Nerva adopted Trajan as his son and successor despite Nerva having no biological heir. 
  • This decision was partly influenced by the need to appease the army, which held Trajan in high regard, and Trajan’s proven competence and popularity. 
  • Following Nerva’s death in 98 CE, Trajan ascended to power without incident, a seamless and primarily celebrated transition. 
  • As emperor, Trajan expanded the Roman Empire to its farthest boundaries. 
  • One of his significant achievements was the successful conquest of Dacia (102-106 CE), which brought vast wealth from the Dacian gold mines into Rome. 
  • This victory was commemorated by the iconic Trajan’s Column, a monument that depicts the events of the Dacian Wars and still stands in Rome today. 
  • Furthermore, Trajan embarked on a series of public works and social welfare policies, like the alimenta, a welfare program that supported orphans and poor children throughout Italy. 
  • He also oversaw extensive building programs, which included the construction of the Forum of Trajan, the Markets of Trajan, and improvements to the port of Ostia, enhancing Rome’s infrastructure and commerce. 
  • His compassion and fairness were noteworthy, and under his rule, the Senate was treated with respect, and legal reforms that broadened the rights of women and slaves were enacted. 
  • In his commitment to the ideals of the Roman Empire, he conducted additional military campaigns, most notably the Parthian campaign, although his death in 117 CE prevented him from consolidating these Eastern conquests. 
  • Trajan’s principled approach to governance and the military conquests of his reign solidified his reputation as an optimal ruler, even earning a posthumous title, Optimus Princeps, meaning “the best ruler.” 
  • As a result, he left a lasting legacy that influenced subsequent emperors and became a paradigm of effective and benevolent leadership in the Roman Empire.

PROJECTS AND ACTIVITIES

  • As emperor, Trajan was known for his ambitious construction projects and extensive public works, which not only left a lasting architectural legacy but also improved the infrastructure and welfare of the Roman Empire. 
  • One of Trajan’s most ambitious architectural projects was the Forum of Trajan, the largest of the Imperial forums, which also included the Basilica Ulpia, two libraries, and the celebrated Trajan’s Column.
  • This Column is a 30-meter tall monument that celebrates his victory in the Dacian Wars and serves as a visual history of the campaigns, carved in a spiraling bas-relief. 
  • Trajan also constructed the Markets of Trajan, considered the world’s first shopping mall, which contained multiple levels of shops and offices and was attached to the Forum.
  • This complex reflects Trajan’s vision for a bustling, prosperous Rome, underlined by architectural magnificence. 
  • Another significant infrastructure development was the improvement of the port at Ostia, which was crucial for maintaining Rome’s grain supply. 
  • The expansion included the creation of a new harbor, Hexagonal Port, which increased the trade capacity and secured more efficient routes for supply ships. 

WARS

  • The Dacian Wars and the Parthian campaign were two of the major military campaigns in which Emperor Trajan, who ruled from 98 to 117 CE, took part.
  1. Dacian Wars: The Dacian Wars consisted of two primary phases. Trajan’s journey into the kingdom of Dacia, located in modern-day Romania, to end the threats posed by the Dacian ruler Decebalus marked the beginning of the First Dacian War (101–102 CE). The Romans prevailed, and a peace treaty was formed, although Dacia and its abundant gold mines were left essentially independent under hefty Roman tribute. 
  2. Second Dacian War (105–106 CE): Decebalus broke the peace conditions, leading to the Second Dacian War. With a massive army, Trajan invaded Dacia once more and succeeded in subduing the people there, annexing their land, and establishing Dacia as a province of Rome.
  3. Parthian Campaign: Following Dacia’s conquest, Trajan focused on the Parthian Empire, Rome’s archrival in the East. Trajan began an invasion of Parthia in 113 CE. He seized Ctesiphon, the Parthian capital, and incorporated the Armenian realm. Mesopotamia was officially established as a new province by Trajan in 116 CE. Trajan’s health deteriorated, and his victories in the East were fleeting as riots and revolts occurred. Upon his death in 117 CE, Hadrian, his successor, finally gave up on the eastern conquests, believing them unjustifiable.

SYMBOLISM AND LEGACY

  • Trajan’s legacy encompasses tangible and symbolic elements deeply ingrained in the history of the Roman Empire. 
  • Trajan represented the archetypal Roman emperor—conqueror, civic planner, patron of the arts, and benevolent ruler—an ideal that later emperors aspired to emulate. 
  • His reign is often considered a golden age, signifying the height of Roman territorial expansion, economic prosperity, and cultural achievements. 
  • The monuments he left behind are more than mere structures; they embody Roman glory and engineering prowess. 
  • Trajan’s Column, for instance, is an enduring symbol of imperial triumph and artistic innovation. 
  • Its spiral bas-relief sculptural narrative glorifies Trajan’s military conquests. 
  • It serves as a historical record of the campaigns against Dacia, providing valuable insights into Roman military attire, equipment, and tactics. 
  • Similarly, the Forum of Trajan and the Markets of Trajan exemplify his commitment to civic life and urban development. 
  • These spaces were central to Rome’s public and economic life, fostering social interaction, commerce, and the administration of justice. 
  • Trajan also left a cultural impact through public welfare programs like the alimenta, demonstrating concern for the well-being of his subjects, particularly the most vulnerable. 
  • Such programs were seen as model philanthropy, influencing social policy in Rome and the broader empire. 
  • Beyond his physical and policy contributions, Trajan’s legacy is notable in how future emperors regard him as the standard-bearer for good governance. 
  • The Senate’s declaration of Trajan as Optimus Princeps, “the best ruler,” was a title and a reflection of his enduring influence. 
  • The subsequent practice of emperors to adopt the name “Traianus” as part of their official titulature was a direct attempt to link themselves to the positive aspects of his reign. 
  • Trajan’s legacy, both in symbolic terms and through his many public works, thus bore lasting significance for the Roman Empire and has continued to capture the imagination of historians, city planners, and leaders for centuries. 
  • His moral and vigorous rule, along with his architectural and humanitarian contributions, positioned him as one of the quintessential statesmen of the ancient world.

DEATH

  • Emperor Trajan died in 117 CE, but the circumstances are not well-documented, and several accounts offer different details. 
  • What is known is that in 115 AD, Trajan embarked on his final military campaign, which aimed to conquer parts of the Parthian Empire, including Armenia and Mesopotamia. 
  • Although initially successful, securing territories and capturing the Parthian capital Ctesiphon, the campaign ultimately faced logistical difficulties and numerous rebellions throughout the newly conquered lands. 
  • In 116 CE, as Trajan was returning westward, his health started to deteriorate. 
  • Trajan suffered from a condition, possibly a stroke or edema, which gradually debilitated him. 
  • He made it as far as Selinus in Cilicia (modern-day Gazipaşa, Turkey), eventually dying on August 9, 117 CE. 
  • The exact cause of Trajan’s death remains a subject of debate, with some speculating that it was due to natural causes such as a stroke or heart attack, while others suggest it might have been cirrhosis of the liver due to his known heavy drinking. 
  • Trajan had no children and is said to have adopted Hadrian, a distant relative and well-regarded military leader, as his successor. The adoption was somewhat contentious, with some sources claiming it occurred at Trajan’s deathbed. 
  • In contrast, others argue that Hadrian’s succession might have been arranged posthumously by Trajan’s wife, Plotina, who supported Hadrian’s claim to the throne. 
  • Regardless, Hadrian succeeded Trajan, and the power transition went relatively smoothly. 
  • Trajan’s body was later cremated, and his ashes were placed in a golden urn in Trajan’s Column in Rome, which remains one of the most enduring emblems of his legacy. 
  • His reign has since been considered by many historians to represent the high point of the Roman Empire, earning him a reputation as one of the “Five Good Emperors.”

Trajan Worksheets

This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about Trajan across 26 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about the Trajan. His reign, from 98 to 117 CE, marked the zenith of the Roman Empire, symbolizing a period of economic prosperity, architectural innovation, and relative peace known as the Pax Romana.

Complete List of Included Worksheets

Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

  1. Trajan Facts
  2. Odd One Out
  3. It’s Trajan!
  4. The Wars
  5. Fact Check
  6. Trajan’s Achievements
  7. Good Governance
  8. Speak Up!
  9. Right Heir
  10. Construction & Welfare
  11. A Leader Today

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was Trajan?

Trajan was a Roman emperor who ruled from 98 to 117 AD. He is often considered one of the greatest emperors of Rome, known for his military conquests, public building projects, and expansion of the Roman Empire to its greatest territorial extent.

What were Trajan’s major achievements?

Trajan’s reign was marked by significant military successes, including the conquest of Dacia (modern-day Romania) and campaigns in the East, such as the capture of the Kingdom of Nabatea and the annexation of Armenia. He also initiated ambitious public building projects, most notably Trajan’s Forum and Trajan’s Column in Rome, as well as the construction of roads and aqueducts throughout the empire.

How did Trajan impact Roman society?

Trajan’s reign is often seen as a period of prosperity and stability in Roman history. His social policies aimed to alleviate poverty and support the urban population through public welfare programs and infrastructure projects. Trajan’s expansionist policies also brought wealth and resources to Rome, enriching the empire.

What was Trajan’s legacy?

Trajan’s legacy includes his reputation as one of the “Five Good Emperors” of Rome, a group of rulers known for their competent and just governance. His conquests expanded Roman territory to its greatest extent, although some argue that these conquests strained the empire’s resources in the long term. His architectural achievements, particularly Trajan’s Forum and Column, remain iconic symbols of Roman power and grandeur.

How did Trajan die, and what impact did his death have on the empire?

Trajan died in 117 AD while on a military campaign in the East, possibly from a stroke or illness. His death marked the end of a prosperous era in Roman history. Although Trajan’s successor, Hadrian, continued many of his policies, the empire faced challenges in managing its vast territories and defending its borders in the following centuries. Trajan’s death also marked the end of aggressive expansionism, as subsequent emperors focused more on consolidating and defending existing territories.

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