What Year Did Trajan Die

Emperor Trajan, one of the most respected and successful rulers of the Roman Empire, left a profound impact on Roman history through his military conquests, administrative reforms, and extensive building projects. Born in 53 CE, Trajan’s reign marked a golden era in Roman governance and territorial expansion. Understanding the circumstances surrounding his death provides deeper insight into the decline of Roman expansion and the beginning of a more defensive phase in the empire’s evolution. The year Trajan died is often remembered not just for the loss of a great leader, but also for the shifting tides in Roman politics and imperial policy.

Background of Emperor Trajan

Early Life and Rise to Power

Trajan, whose full name was Marcus Ulpius Traianus, was born in Italica, near modern-day Seville in Spain. He came from a prominent Roman family of provincial origin, which was a relatively rare background for emperors before him. His military skill and political acumen quickly brought him favor under Emperor Nerva, who adopted him as his successor in 97 CE.

Trajan became emperor in 98 CE, beginning a reign that would last nearly two decades. His leadership style combined military strength with civil efficiency, and his popularity soared among both the Senate and the people of Rome. Trajan is best known for leading the Roman Empire to its maximum territorial extent and for overseeing significant public works, including the famous Trajan’s Market and Trajan’s Column.

Trajan’s Final Campaign and Health Decline

The Parthian War

In his later years, Trajan launched a campaign against the Parthian Empire in the East, a major military undertaking that initially showed signs of great success. He managed to capture the Parthian capital, Ctesiphon, and temporarily annexed Mesopotamia, achieving one of Rome’s greatest eastern victories.

However, despite the initial triumph, the campaign proved costly and unsustainable. Local revolts broke out, and maintaining control over the newly conquered territories became increasingly difficult. These complications, along with the harsh conditions of campaigning, began to take a toll on Trajan’s health.

Illness and Death

In 117 CE, during the return journey from his eastern campaign, Trajan’s health deteriorated rapidly. Historical sources suggest he suffered a stroke that left him partially paralyzed. Although he continued to manage affairs of the empire briefly, it became evident that his time as emperor was nearing its end.

Trajan died in August of 117 CE in the city of Selinus, in the region of Cilicia, located in modern-day Turkey. His body was cremated, and his ashes were returned to Rome, where they were interred at the base of Trajan’s Column a structure that still stands today as a testament to his legacy.

Trajan’s Legacy and Succession

Hadrian Takes the Throne

Before his death, Trajan had allegedly adopted his cousin Hadrian as his successor. Though some historical accounts debate whether the adoption was truly his decision or made by his wife Plotina and close advisors after his death, Hadrian was quickly recognized as the next emperor.

Hadrian’s policies stood in contrast to those of Trajan. He abandoned many of the eastern territories that Trajan had conquered, signaling a shift from expansionism to consolidation and defense. This marked a turning point in Roman foreign policy, and thus, the year of Trajan’s death 117 CE serves as a symbolic moment in the empire’s transformation.

Monuments and Historical Recognition

Trajan’s reign is often regarded as one of the high points of Roman history. Ancient historians like Cassius Dio and Pliny the Younger praised his leadership, moderation, and respect for Roman institutions. Even the Christian historian Eusebius referred to him in a relatively favorable light compared to other pagan rulers.

His architectural contributions were vast, including the construction of new roads, bridges, aqueducts, and public buildings. Trajan’s Forum in Rome was among the most grandiose projects ever attempted by a Roman emperor. The fact that his ashes were laid to rest in Rome’s city center, an extraordinary honor, underscores the deep admiration held for him by the Roman people.

Significance of the Year 117 CE

The Height of the Roman Empire

Trajan’s death in 117 CE marked the end of an era. At the time of his passing, the Roman Empire was at its largest territorial extent, stretching from Britain to the Persian Gulf. Never again would the empire reach such geographical dominance. While his death did not trigger immediate decline, it did mark the beginning of more conservative policies regarding imperial expansion.

Political and Military Shift

With Hadrian’s ascension came a renewed focus on fortifying borders and improving administrative efficiency. The abandonment of Trajan’s eastern conquests was not seen as a retreat, but rather a strategic recalibration. This pragmatic approach helped stabilize the empire for several decades, but the age of aggressive expansion that Trajan had championed was over.

The year Trajan died, 117 CE, holds immense historical importance. It was not only the end of one of Rome’s most illustrious emperors, but also the conclusion of a phase of bold conquest and the beginning of a more introspective and defensive era in Roman governance. Trajan’s life and legacy continue to be studied and admired, not only for what he achieved during his reign, but also for the enduring impact he left on Roman society, architecture, and imperial philosophy.

Understanding when and how Trajan died is crucial to appreciating the broader shifts in Roman history. His death signified more than just the loss of a powerful ruler it represented the changing face of an empire at its zenith, about to enter a more cautious and calculated age.