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Emperor Trajan (53-117 AD) has traditionally been regarded as one of the greatest Roman Emperors’ (ruled from 98 to 117 AD), but modern historians have argued that his legacy was at best mixed. Trajan reign led to both positive impacts on the Roman Empire. While Trajan's foreign invasion Dacia, Arabia, and Mesopotamia created real benefit to the Empire, his conquest of Parthia was ephemeral and wasteful. On the domestic side, Trajan was a dynamic administrator, and he did much to reverse some of the abuses that had developed under previous Emperors such as Domitian. Additionally, his domestic policies helped to improve the socio-economic condition in Italy.

[[File: Trajan Two.jpg|200px|thumb|left|A relief showing a battle between Romans and Dacians]]

Trajan’s reign (98-117 AD) occurred at perhaps one of the greatest eras in Roman History. In the First Century A.D., the economy of Rome had been expanding for many years, and the Empire continued to expand. The period witnessed a cultural renaissance, and many of the great Latin writers wrote their greatest works at this time. Successive Emperors maintained the system that was perfected by Augustus, which was an imperial system that shared power with the Senatorial elite. This system had provided stability to a large part of Europe and the Near East. Marcus Ulpius Traianus was born in what is now modern Spain and was of Italian descent.<ref> Bennett, Julian. Trajan. Optimus Princeps. (Bloomington, Indiana University Press, 2001), p. 18</ref>

His father was a general and governor and was later enrolled in the Senate. Trajan grew up in Rome, and he served with his father in Syria, and he later enjoyed the favor of Emperor Domitian, and in 91 AD he served as consul.<ref>Bennet, p. 34</ref> In 96 AD, Domitian was assassinated in a conspiracy and Nerva ascended the throne. Trajan was governor of Lower Germany and was in command of several legions and was a very important power broker in the years after the death of Domitian. Nerva who was advanced in years adopted him as his son and heir.<ref>Bennet, p 46</ref>

[[File: Trajan Four.jpg|300px|thumb|left| Petra the capital of the Nabatean Kingdom, today]]

In 98 AD, Trajan became Emperor after the death of Nerva. Trajan proved to be an energetic ruler and immediately reduced the influence of the Praetorian Guard.<ref> Mommsen, Theodor A History of Rome Under the Emperors (London: Routledge, 1999), p 113</ref> He secured support by offering donations to the legions and the population of Rome and reduced taxes. After a series of civil wars that had weakened the Empire, Trajan helped to finance many public structures and ordered the building of many aqueducts. He also prohibited wasteful expenditure on festivals. Trajan also initiated a series of social welfare reforms.

Trajan was an able administrator and unlike his predecessors respected the constitution and the laws of Rome. Trajan enacted some laws that improved the status of slaves and it became illegal for masters to abandon old slaves. He forbade the use of informers, and there were no treason trials during his years in power. Trajan did not rule as an autocrat like so many of his predecessors.<ref>Pliny the Younger, Letter 10. 68</ref> It has been stated that he gave the Empire its longest period of stability and good government in its history.<ref>Bennet, p. 10</ref>

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