Early life and rise to power Trajan

denarius of trajan, minted in rome in 101–102 ad

marcus ulpius traianus born on 18 september 53 ad in roman province of hispania baetica (in andalusia in modern spain), in city of italica (now in municipal area of santiponce, in outskirts of seville). although designated first provincial emperor, , dismissed later writers such cassius dio (himself of provincial origin) iberian, , neither italian nor italiot , trajan appears have hailed on father s side area of tuder (modern todi) in umbria, @ border etruria, , on mother s side gens marcia, of italic family of sabine origin. trajan s birthplace of italica founded roman military colony of italian settlers in 206 bc, though unknown when ulpii arrived there. possible, cannot substantiated, trajan s ancestors married local women , lost citizenship @ point, recovered status when city became municipium latin citizenship in mid-1st century bc.

trajan son of marcia, roman noblewoman , sister-in-law of second flavian emperor titus, , marcus ulpius traianus, prominent senator , general gens ulpia. marcus ulpius traianus elder served vespasian in first jewish-roman war, commanding legio x fretensis. trajan himself 1 of many well-known ulpii in line continued long after own death. elder sister ulpia marciana, , niece salonina matidia. patria of ulpii italica, in spanish baetica, ancestors had settled late in 3rd century bc.

as young man, rose through ranks of roman army, serving in of contested parts of empire s frontier. in 76–77, trajan s father governor of syria (legatus pro praetore syriae), trajan himself remained tribunus legionis. there, after father s replacement, seems have been transferred unspecified rhine province, , pliny implies engaged in active combat duty during both commissions. in 86, trajan s cousin p. aelius afer died, leaving young children hadrian , paulina orphans. trajan , colleague of his, publius acilius attianus, became co-guardians of 2 children.

in 91, trajan created ordinary consul year, great honour in late thirties , therefore above minimum legal age (32) holding post. can explained in part prominence of father s career, father had been instrumental ascent of ruling flavian dynasty, held consular rank himself , had been made patrician. around time trajan brought apollodorus of damascus him rome. , married pompeia plotina, noble woman roman settlement @ nîmes; marriage remained childless.

trajan wearing civic crown , military garb such muscle cuirass, 2nd century ad, antalya archaeological museum

it has been remarked later authors (among them trajan s late successor julian) trajan inclined towards homosexuality, far in excess of usual bisexual activity common among upper class roman men of period. although julian s scathing comments on matter reflect change of mores began severan dynasty, earlier author, cassius dio, makes reference trajan s marked personal preference male sex. trajan s putative lovers included hadrian, pages of imperial household, actor pylades, dancer called apolaustus, lucius licinius sura, , nerva.

as details of trajan s military career obscure, sure in 89, legate of legio vii gemina in hispania tarraconensis, supported domitian against attempted coup. later, after 91 consulate (held acilius glabrio, rare pair of consuls @ time, in neither consul member of ruling dynasty), held unspecified consular commission governor on either pannonia or germania superior – possibly both. pliny – who seems deliberately avoid offering details stress personal attachment between trajan , tyrant domitian – attributes him, @ time, various (and unspecified) feats of arms.

since domitian s successor, nerva, unpopular army , had been forced praetorian prefect casperius aelianus execute domitian s killers, felt need gain support of military in order avoid being ousted. accomplished in summer of 97 naming trajan adoptive son , successor, allegedly solely on trajan s outstanding military merits. there hints, however, in contemporary literary sources trajan s adoption imposed on nerva. pliny implied when wrote that, although emperor not coerced doing something, if way in trajan raised power, worth it. if occurred, trajan usurper, , notion of natural continuity between nerva s , trajan s reigns ex post fiction developed later historians such tacitus.

according augustan history, future emperor hadrian brought word trajan of adoption. hadrian retained on rhine frontier trajan military tribune, becoming privy circle of friends , relations trajan surrounded himself – among them governor of germania inferior, spaniard lucius licinius sura, become trajan s chief personal adviser , official friend. token of influence, sura later become consul third time in 107. ancient sources tell having built bath named after him on aventine hill in rome, or having bath built trajan , named after him, in either case signal of honour exception established rule public building in capital dedicated member of imperial family. these baths later expanded third century emperor decius means of stressing link trajan. sura described telling hadrian in 108 selection imperial heir. according modern historian, sura s role kingmaker , éminence grise resented senators, historian tacitus, acknowledged sura s military , oratory virtues @ same time resented rapacity , devious ways, similar of vespasian s éminence grise licinius mucianus.

when nerva died on 27 january 98, trajan succeeded role of emperor without outward incident. however, fact chose not hasten towards rome, instead make lengthy tour of inspection on rhine , danube frontiers, hints possible fact power position in rome unsure , had first assure himself of loyalty of armies @ front. noteworthy trajan ordered prefect aelianus attend him in germany, apparently executed ( put out of way ), post being taken attius suburanus. trajan s accession, therefore, qualify more successful coup orderly succession.