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====When did Emperor Trajan rule the Roman Empire?====
[[File: Trajan Four.jpg|300px|thumb|left| Petra the capital of the Nabatean Kingdom, today]]
In 98 AD, Trajan became Emperor after the death of Nerva. Trajan proved to be an energetic ruler and immediately reduced the influence of the Praetorian Guard.<ref> Mommsen, Theodor A History of Rome Under the Emperors (London: Routledge, 1999), p 113</ref> He secured support by offering donations to the legions and the population of Rome and reduced taxes. After a series of civil wars that had weakened the Empire, Trajan helped to finance many public structures and ordered the building of many aqueducts. He also prohibited wasteful expenditure on festivals. Trajan also initiated a series of social welfare reforms.
After a series of civil wars that had weakened the Empire, Trajan helped to finance many public structures and ordered the building of many aqueducts. He also prohibited wasteful expenditure on festivals. Trajan also initiated a series of social welfare reforms.
====What did Trajan do as Emperor?====
Trajan successfully overhauled the administration of the Empire and ended abuses by Senators. His domestic policy achievements are impressive, but his main focus was always on military glory. He abandoned the policy of Augustus, of not seeking to expand the Empire.<ref>Suetonius, Life of Augustus, xxv</ref> Only Britain was added to the Empire since the death of the first Emperor. Trajan was determined to expand Rome’s borders, and for the first time in a century, he pursued an active policy of conquest.
