Roman Imperial
Trajan (98-117), Denarius 102, Rome mint
Obverse: laureate head right
IMP CAES NERVA TRAIAN AVG GERM
Reverse: Victory standing left, holding wreath and palm frond
PM TR P COS IIII P P
Diameter 19 mm, weight 3.41 g
Trajan was born on September 18, 53 AD in Italica, near Seville, Spain, like his student Hadrian. He belonged to a family of settlers who settled in Spain. After a brilliant military career, he was a consul, the first legate of Upper Germania in 91 AD, and in 97 AD he was adopted by Nerva and anointed as his successor. After Nerva's death, he became August. His reign included numerous military campaigns against the Germans on the Rhine Limes, which earned him the title of Germanicus, followed by two Dakish wars against Decebalus, which ended with the annexation of Dacia. Trajan also campaigned against the Parthians, turbulent and powerful neighbors to the east. He left Rome to the east and, prior to invading the Parthian kingdom, established his headquarters in Antioch. He died on August 8, 117v AD, leaving the Empire at its peak and with the greatest territorial gains.
