Select Observations of Roman Emperors 2, Part 1 · Emperor 14
Choyce Observations OF ULPIVS TRAJANVS.
UNto Nerva succeeded Vlpius Trajanus into the Roman Empire,Speed Chro. Trajanus Tudernino Hispaniae oppido oriundus est, in quo nihil praeter unum Trajanum est quod commendemus. Opes nec exiguae, nec supra privatum modum evectae. Corpore valido, & formâ quae digna imperio videbatur, erat. Boxhorn. orat. de vitae & moribus Trajani. in the 42. year of his age, who was born near unto Sevil in the Territories of Spain, of a Noble Family, but was much more ennobled in himself for his Princely endowments; which moved Nerva in his life time to adopt him into so high a Calling, and the whole Senate after his death joyfully to confirm his Election, and so often to honour him with the title of the most Excellent Prince in publik Dedications. He raised the Roman Empire unto the very highest pitch of glory, and spread the power of their command into the largest circuit that ever before or since hath been possessed.
He subdued Dacia, made subject Armenia, Parthia, Caput non diadema sed gales orn… bat: & qua manu sceptrum domi, eadem gladium bello tenebat. Boxhorn.and Mesopotamia, conquered Assyria, Persia, and Babylon; passed Tigris, and stretched the confines of the Roman Empire unto the remotest Dominions of the Indies, which never before that time had heard of the Roman name. For his Person, he was not very learned, yet he was a great admirer of, and Benefactor to Learning; a Founder of Famous Libraries, a perpetuall advancer of Learned men to Office, *Eruditissimos, quamvis ipse parcae esset scientiae, moderateque eloquens, diligebat. Aurel. Vict. Plutarch was his Master.and a familiar Converser with learned Professors.Praesens aderat non spectator tantum, sed & inter primos bellatorum; ut virtuti consiliisque ejus omnia deberentur. Quem honorem dicendi Magistris? quam dignationem sapientiae doctoribus habes? ut sub te spiritum, & sanguinem, & patriam receperint studia, quae priorum temporum immanitas exiliis puniebat. Plin. Secund. Paneg.
Of stature he was big, of complexion swarthy, thin of hair both head and beard, he had a hooked nose, broad shoulders, long hands, and a pleasant eye.
He stirred up the third Persecution, wherein Ignatius, and Simon the Son of Cleophas, and many other worthy Saints of God received the Crown of Martyrdom in such cruell manner, as that his other vertues are much clouded by that Taxation;Eusebius. Eccles. Hist. l. 3. c. 30. for mollification whereof, he was intreated by Plinius secundus, whose Epistles to that purpose are yet extant, viz. the 97. of his tenth Book, where he hath this passage to Trajan concerning them; Affirmabant hanc fuisse summam vel culpae suae vel erroris, quòd essent soliti stato die ante lucem convenire, carmenque Christo quasi Deo dicere secum invicem; seque Sacramento non in scelus aliquid obstringere, sed ne furta, ne latrocinia, ne adulteria committerent, ne fidem fallerent, ne depositum appellati abnegarent, &c. to which Letter Trajan thus replyeth, Conquirendi nnon sunt; si deferantur & arguantur, puniendi sunt.
Whereupon Tertullian in his Apology hath this passage, Nemo supplici vultu, sed sati & ala…res non tam principem quam patrem agnoscebant. Boxho…rn. Orat.O Sententiam necessitate confusam! negat inquirendos innocentes, & mandat puniendos ut nocentes; parcit & saevit, dissimulat & animadvertit. Quid teip sum censur â circumvenis? Si damnas, cur non, & inquiris? si non inquiris, cur non & absolvis?
He was affable and familiar even with his inferiours; of such carriage toward his subjects, as he himself would wish (he said) his Prince to use towards him, if he had been a subject. Aequus, clemens, patientissimus, atque in amicos perfidelis, saith Aurelius Victor of him.Accipe gladium quem pro me, si recte impero, sin minus, contra …e distringe. He was a great observer of Iustice, in so much that when he invested any Praetor, in giving him the Sword, he commanded him to use the same even against his own person, if he violated Law or equity.
He erected many famous buildings, whence Constantine the Great called him Parietariam Wall-flower, because his name was upon so many walls. Alexander Severus is rather to be commended, who caused that precept of the Gospel to be engraved on the frontispiece of his palace, Quod tibi fieri non vis, alterinèseceris.
Dion reporteth this Apothegme of him, Nullum se unquam virum bonum male habiturum, nedum occisurum Dies ille triplici gaudio laetus (saith Pliny in a Panegyrick to him) qui principem abstulit pessimum, dedit optimum, meliorem optimo genuit.
In solo Plinio Trajanum habemus, in Trajan… imaginem omnium magnarum virtutum. Qui ea libertate omnia scripsit, qua Trajanus fecit; adeò ut incomparabili principe opus dignissimum sit & ipsum incomparabile. Boxhorn. Orat.
Rara temporum felicitas, ubi sentire quae velis, & quae sentias dicere licet, L. 1. Hist,saith Tacitus of his reigne: a man so exceeding wellbeloved of the Senate, and of the people of Rome, that after his dayes, whensoever a new Emperour was Elected, they wished unto him the good successe of Augustus, and the uprightnesse of Trajanus.
He dyed by a Flux the seventh day of August, Carion Chron.after he had reigned 19. yeares, six moneths and 15. dayes, and of his age 64.