Cover of Trajan: Rome’s Last Conqueror by Nicholas Jackson

NICHOLAS JACKSON

Trajan: Rome’s Last Conqueror

Trajan: Rome’s Last Conqueror

Trajan: Rome’s Last Conqueror

by Nicholas Jackson

The soldier-emperor who carried Rome to its greatest territorial extent.

The soldier-emperor who carried Rome to its greatest territorial extent.

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ABOUT THE BOOK

A life that reshaped Rome’s reach, culture and power.

A life that reshaped Rome’s reach, culture and power.

Trajan’s ascent from obscure beginnings to emperor reshaped Rome’s reach, culture, and power.

Trajan’s ascent from obscure beginnings to emperor reshaped Rome’s reach, culture, and power.

Until the publication of this captivating biography, no such volume on Trajan’s life has been tailored to the general reader. The unique book illuminates a neglected period of ancient Roman history, featuring a comprehensive array of maps, illustrations, and photographs to help orientate and bring the text to life.

Until the publication of this captivating biography, no such volume on Trajan’s life has been tailored to the general reader. The unique book illuminates a neglected period of ancient Roman history, featuring a comprehensive array of maps, illustrations, and photographs to help orientate and bring the text to life.

Trajan rose from fairly obscure beginnings to become the emperor of Rome. He was born in Italica, an Italic settlement close to modern Seville in present-day Spain, and is the first Roman Emperor to be born outside of Rome. His remarkable rise from officer to general and then to emperor in just over 20 years reveals a shrewd politician who maintained absolute power. Trajan’s success in taking the Roman Empire to its greatest expanse is highlighted in this gripping biography.

Trajan rose from fairly obscure beginnings to become the emperor of Rome. He was born in Italica, an Italic settlement close to modern Seville in present-day Spain, and is the first Roman Emperor to be born outside of Rome. His remarkable rise from officer to general and then to emperor in just over 20 years reveals a shrewd politician who maintained absolute power. Trajan’s success in taking the Roman Empire to its greatest expanse is highlighted in this gripping biography.

Trajan’s military campaigns allowed the Roman Empire to attain its greatest military, political and cultural achievements. The book draws on novel theories, recent evidence and meticulous research, including field visits to Italy, Spain, Germany and Romania to ensure accurate, vivid writing that transports the reader to Trajan’s territory.

Trajan’s military campaigns allowed the Roman Empire to attain its greatest military, political and cultural achievements. The book draws on novel theories, recent evidence and meticulous research, including field visits to Italy, Spain, Germany and Romania to ensure accurate, vivid writing that transports the reader to Trajan’s territory.

INSIDE THE BOOK

From provincial beginnings to Rome’s furthest frontier.

From provincial beginnings to Rome’s furthest frontier.

CHAPTER 1

IMPRESSIONABLE YEARS

CHAPTER 2

YOUNG ADULTHOOD IN A NEW ERA

CHAPTER 3

THE MAKING OF A MILITARY OFFICER

CHAPTER 4

THE MAKING OF A GENERAL

CHAPTER 5

ADOPTION AND ACCESSION

CHAPTER 6

THE DAWNING TRAJANIC AGE

CHAPTER 7

TRAJAN’S FIRST DACIAN WAR

CHAPTER 8

TRAJAN’S SECOND DACIAN WAR

CHAPTER 9

BIDING TIME BETWEEN GREAT WARS

CHAPTER 10

THE PARTHIAN WAR

CHAPTER 11

CONSPIRACY, DEATH AND DEIFICATION

ILLUSTRATED & REFERENCED

Colour pictures, maps and a family tree help orient the reader, supported by extensive end notes for references and further investigation.

REVIEWS

Critical response

“An important contribution to Trajan’s enduring legacy as one of Rome’s greatest emperors and will appeal especially to students and general readers… a thorough and well-researched account of the life and reign of this important emperor.”

“An important contribution to Trajan’s enduring legacy as one of Rome’s greatest emperors and will appeal especially to students and general readers… a thorough and well-researched account of the life and reign of this important emperor.”

BRYN MAWR CLASSICAL REVIEW

“Until the publication of this informative and captivating biography, no such volume on the life of the Roman Emperor Trajan (18 September 53 – 9/11 August 117) has been shaped to be of value to both academia and the non-specialist general reader alike. This is a unique and impressively informative study by Nicholas Jackson as he illuminates an often neglected period of ancient Roman history, and features a comprehensive array of maps, illustrations, and photographs to help orientate and bring the text to life.”

“Until the publication of this informative and captivating biography, no such volume on the life of the Roman Emperor Trajan (18 September 53 – 9/11 August 117) has been shaped to be of value to both academia and the non-specialist general reader alike. This is a unique and impressively informative study by Nicholas Jackson as he illuminates an often neglected period of ancient Roman history, and features a comprehensive array of maps, illustrations, and photographs to help orientate and bring the text to life.”

MIDWEST BOOK REVIEW

“This is the first full length biography of the Emperor himself that I’ve read, and it provides an excellent account of how a capable man could rise even in troubled times, and demonstrates that the Roman Empire of Trajan’s time was still a very major military power.”

“This is the first full length biography of the Emperor himself that I’ve read, and it provides an excellent account of how a capable man could rise even in troubled times, and demonstrates that the Roman Empire of Trajan’s time was still a very major military power.”

HISTORY OF WAR

“Emperor Trajan is often overlooked in the history of Rome, but he was an important figure, and Nicholas Jackson’s biography places him firmly back where he belongs. Trajan was emperor of the Roman Empire at its highest point.”

“Emperor Trajan is often overlooked in the history of Rome, but he was an important figure, and Nicholas Jackson’s biography places him firmly back where he belongs. Trajan was emperor of the Roman Empire at its highest point.”

BOOKS MONTHLY

“A magnificent biography, well researched and produced with maps and coloured photographs. I recommend this book to anyone interested in Roman history or just in history itself. This is the sort of book you will read again and again. One of the best biographies I have read in a long time.”

“A magnificent biography, well researched and produced with maps and coloured photographs. I recommend this book to anyone interested in Roman history or just in history itself. This is the sort of book you will read again and again. One of the best biographies I have read in a long time.”

ARMY RUMOUR SERVICE

“Having spent hours gazing up at Trajan’s column in Rome and contemplating the Dacian Wars and the Emperor who successfully conducted them, this book is an excellent biography. Given that a portion of the biography must be conjecture owing to the quality of sources, it skilfully draws on the available sources to paint a picture of Trajan and his times. Recommended.”

“Having spent hours gazing up at Trajan’s column in Rome and contemplating the Dacian Wars and the Emperor who successfully conducted them, this book is an excellent biography. Given that a portion of the biography must be conjecture owing to the quality of sources, it skilfully draws on the available sources to paint a picture of Trajan and his times. Recommended.”

THE BOOKSELLER — MICHAEL MCCARTHY, BATTLEFIELD GUIDE

BOOK DETAILS

Publication information

Author — Nicholas Jackson

Title — Trajan: Rome’s Last Conqueror

Publisher — Greenhill Books / Pen & Sword

ISBN — 9781784387075

Formats — Hardback, Paperback, eBook and audiobook

Formats — Hardback, Paperback, eBook and audiobook

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