Marcus Ulpius Trajan Biography

Birth of Trajan in Hispania Baetica.

Serves as consul during the reign of Domitian.

Nerva Marcus Cocceius names Trajan heir to placate the Praetorians and German legions

Is adopted by Nerva and named imperial heir.

Succeeds Nerva as emperor, the first provincial-born ruler of Rome.

Succeeds Nerva while commanding on the Rhine.

Enters Rome after securing his position with the army.

Defeats Dacian forces during the first Dacian War.

Begins the first Dacian War against Decebalus.

Receives Decebalus as a client ally after the first Dacian campaign.

Orders work expanding the port facilities at Ostia.

Ends the first Dacian War with Decebalus as client king.

Forces Decebalus to accept peace after the First Dacian War and to submit Dacia as a Roman client kingdom.

Begins the second Dacian War after renewed conflict.

Annexes Dacia after the defeat of Decebalus.

Celebrates Dacian victory with games and public display.

Celebrates victory over Dacia with major public games in Rome.

Dedicates major public baths on the Oppian Hill.

Corresponds with Pliny about provincial government and Christians.

Dedicates the Forum of Trajan as an imperial complex.

Begins eastern campaigning against Parthian influence.

Trajan Column commemorates the Dacian campaigns.

Turns Armenia into a Roman province during eastern campaigns.

Roman forces take the Parthian capital Ctesiphon.

Dies in Cilicia while returning from the eastern campaign.