8.2

Trajan Emperor, 98–117 CE

Dio Cassius 68.3-69.3

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Dio 68.6.3-68.7.1:  

He was strong in body, being in his forty-second year when he began to rule, so that in every enterprise he toiled almost as much as the others; and his mental powers were at their highest, so that he had neither the recklessness of youth nor the sluggishness of old age.  He didn't envy nor slay any one, but honored and exalted all good men without exception, and hence he neither feared nor hated any one of them. To slanders he paid very little heed and he was no slave of anger. He refrained equally from the money of others and from unjust murders.

He expended vast sums on wars and vast sums on works of peace; and while making very many urgently needed repairs to roads and harbors and public buildings, he drained no one's blood for any of these undertakings. He was so high-minded and generous that, after enlarging and embellishing the Circus, which had crumbled away in places, he merely inscribed on it a statement that he had made it adequate for the Roman people.

(1) eī: dative object of successit refering to Nerva

Ulpius Crīnītus Trāiānus: Marcus Ulpius Trajan was born at Italica near Seville in Spain, September 18, 52 CE. He was trained to arms, and rose through the various offices to the rank of praetor. He was adopted by Nerva in 97. After Nerva's death he became emperor, being the first Roman emperor who was born out of Italy. He was a great soldier and a good administrator. Good sense, a knowledge of the world, and sound judgment characterized him. Just and sincere in his desire for the happiness of the people, he was one of the best emperors that governed Rome. He crushed the Dacians, successfully waged war against the Parthians, and brought peace and prosperity to the whole Roman world (Hazzard).

Nam pater eius prīmum consul fuit: Trajan's father was the first one in his family to attain the consulship.

apud Agrippīnam: understand Coloniam, in full Colonia Claudia Ara Agrippinensium, the modern Cologne.

ita...ut: "in such a way that," introducing a result clause (AG 537).

omnibus prīncipibus: dative object of praeferātur.

inūsitātae cīvīlitātis et fortitūdinis: "(a man) of extraordinary lack of pretension and bravery." The genitive of quality (AG 345) without a signaling noun like vir is unusual.

(2) trāns Rhēnum: the Rhine River.

Dāciam: Trajan conducted two campaigns against the Dacians, 101–103 and 104–106 CE. On his return from the second campaign he celebrated a triumph and entertained the people with games lasting 123 days. "It is said that 11,000 animals were slaughtered during these amusements, and that 10,000 gladiators fought in the arena" (Hazzard, quoting Smith, s.v. M. Ulpius Traianus).

Decibalō victō: ablative absolute with a perfect passive participle (AG 419). Decebalus was king of Dacia.

trāns Dānubium: modern name Danube.

Taifalī, Victoalī et Tervingī: the Taifali, Victohali, and Thervingi were all Germanic peoples who were forced out of their homes in what is now Eastern Europe by the nomadic Huns. They attempted to migrate into Roman territory and were initially opposed by the Romans, but later took control in the area around the Danube.

in circuitū: "in circumference." Eutropius' knowledge of the circumference of Dacia probably derived from his administrative duties (Bird).

tenuit: = habuit (Hazzard).