On This Day in Ancient History - The Second of the 5 Good Emperors

Arch of Trajan at Benevento
CC Flickr User philTizzani

In A.D. 53, the future Roman Emperor Trajan (Birth: Marcus Ulpius Traianus) was born. Trajan added the name Dacicus to his titles (ultimately becoming Imperator Caesar Divi Nervae filius Nerva Trajanus Optimus Augustus Germanicus Dacicus Parthicus) after his march across the Danube (building a bridge across it) into Dacian territory, where the local king, Decebalus, prostrated himself and became a client king. The king proved treacherous and the Romans had to return, this time with 11 legions, but when Trajan celebrated his triumph, it lasted 123 days. This created Rome's first province north of the Danube.

• DIR Trajan
• Roman Provinces
• Trajan Profile
• Imperial Battles