Early Roman Empire, Nerva-Antonine Dynasty (96-193), Trajan: Introduction, Dacian Wars

13 TRAJAN (63; r.98-117)

After his adoption in 97, Trajan had remained in Germania, and after Nerva’s death in 98 until completing his inspection of the defences along the northern frontier before returning to Rome. On his arrival in Rome early in 99 he received a general welcome, and in 100 held his first consulship.

Trajan was an energetic and able administrator; free distribution of corn was continued, and the system of alimenta, a welfare system for the orphans and poor children in Italy, was probably instigated by him rather than Nerva. There was an ever-increasing programme of public works: the Via Nova Traiana in Arabia Petraea (southern Jordan plus northwest Saudi Arabia) was completed in 107/8; Trajan’s Baths and his Naumachia (water basin for mock naval battles) along with the aqueduct, the Aqua Traiana, to supply them in 109; the Trajan’s Column and the Via Traiana (from Beneventum to Brundisium) in 112; and Trajan’s Column in 113.

Dacian Wars (101-102, 105-106)

On 25 March 101 Trajan, convinced that the Dacians were a threat to Rome’s northeastern European provinces, launched an invasion of Dacia. The details of the campaign are not known but a reasonable reconstruction suggests that two columns of Roman legionaries crossed the Danube at different points, one led by Trajan himself over a boat bridge at Viminacium, and the other led by Laberius Maximus (cos.89), the governor of Moesia Inferior, further east at Dierna. 

The two columns met at Tibiscum and marched together on Decebalus’ capital Sarmizegetusa. Again a battle took place at Tapae and resulted in a Roman victory, but by the end of the campaigning season the Dacians were still undefeated and Trajan withdrew to the Danube. In winter 101/2 a barbarian coalition that included the Dacians attacked Moesia Inferior.

In 102 Trajan began moving his troops towards the Dacian capital Sarmizegetusa (=Varhely), while Laberius Maximus followed a different route along the Alutus (=Olt) River, conquering Dacian forts. Decebalus sued for peace and although his kingdom was spared it was reduced to a client status and he was compelled to demolish his remaining hill-forts and accept a Roman garrison at his capital.

Between 103 and 105 the famous architect, Apollodorus of Damascus, built a stone bridge over the Danube, opposite the future town of Drobeta. Meanwhile, Decebalus looked for allies and rebuilt the walls around his forts. In June 105 Trajan left Rome for Moesia Inferior. He crossed the stone bridge over the Danube. From here he probably split the army into two columns and met again at Sarmizegetusa. The capital was besieged and after a heroic resistance the Dacians surrendered. Decebalus tried to escape but pursued by Roman cavalry led by ³⁴Claudius Maximus (fl.85-117) he chose not to be captured and killed himself by slashing his own throat. By August 106 Dacia was officially a Roman province. 

During 106 Rabbel II Soter of Nabataea (r.70-106) died and while Domitian was bringing the Dacian War to an end his governor of Syria, ⁶⁰Cornelius Palma (cos.99), annexed the Nabataean Kingdom as Roman province of Arabia Petraea.