Why was Emperor Trajan greatly loved by the people of Rome?

           Trajan was a soldier who spent most of his life involved in campaigns. He was adopted by the Roman Emperor Nerva, but even after Nerva died, Trajan remained in Germany until he had completed his campaign. Trajan’s eventual entry into Rome in AD 99 was a triumphant one. Jubilant crowds rejoiced at his arrival. The new emperor entered the city on foot. He embraced each of the Senators, and even walked among the ordinary people. Under Trajan, the programme of public works was enlarged substantially. The road network in Italy was renovated, and many bridges were built. Also provisions for the poor were also made, especially for children. Trajan was a brilliant general, as shown by his military achievements. Quite naturally, he was very popular with his troops, especially due to his willingness to share in the hardships of his soldiers.

          Trajan’s most famous campaign is undoubtedly that against Dacia, a powerful kingdom north of the Danube in modern Romania. Two wars were fought against it, resulting in its destruction and annexation as a Roman province in AD 106. He annexed Armenia, and spectacularly conquered the whole of Mesopotamia, including the Parthian capital Ctesiphon.

         Trajan died while returning to Italy from the east on 9th August AD 117, after suffering a stroke.