TRAJAN

(53-117 A.D.), Rom. emperor; 0. Italic a, Spain; became preetor, 85 A.D.; consul, 91; subsequently consular legate of Upper Germany under Nerva, who in 97 adopted him as his son. The Senate acknowledged him as Nerva’s succe or, and he received titles of Imperator, Cesar, and Germanic us. Became emperor, 98; reign marked by wars. First and second Dacian wars, 101-2, 105-6 ended in victory for T., Dacia becoming a Rom. province. In 113 he waged war on Parthia, annexing various provinces in first campaign, and taking Ctesiphon, capital of Parthia, in second. His eastern campaigns ended in failure, and he had to withdraw from Hatra. In his absence, the Jews had seized the opportunity to revolt, and committed many ma acres, which were punished by the Romans with great severity. T., who was seized by illne , took ship for Italy and d. on the way home at Selinus in Cilicia. He was a just and careful ruler, gaining name of Optimus. He le ened power of Senate and improved agriculture. He was opposed to Christianity, but a rescript in answer to a letter of Pliny the younger (g.v.) shows his moderation. county town, seaport, on Lee, County Kerry, Ireland. ancient town, near Meander, Caria, Asia Minor.