# Marcus Ulpius Traianus (father of Trajan)

Marcus Ulpius Traianus (fl. 1st century AD) was a Roman general and senator. He was the biological father of emperor Trajan.

## Family

Traianus belonged to a branch of the gens Ulpia, which originally came from the Umbrian city of Tuder, but he was born and raised in the Roman colony of Italica, north of modern Santiponce and northwest of Seville, in the Roman Province of Hispania Baetica. The town was founded in 206 BC by Scipio Africanus, as a settlement for wounded and invalid veterans of the wars against Carthage. The Ulpii, like the Aelii and the Traii, were among the leading Roman families of the city. From the latter family came the ancestors of Traianus, who intermarried with the Ulpii, giving rise to the cognomen Traianus. Since the father of Traianus joined the ranks of the senators in Rome, it is very likely that his grandfather was already a member of the Roman Senate. The ancestry of Traianus' mother is unknown. His sister Ulpia was the mother of Publius Aelius Hadrianus Afer, and grandmother of the emperor Hadrian. Traianus married a Roman noblewoman named Marcia. She was the elder sister of Marcia Furnilla, the second wife of Titus, which enabled her to further her husband's career. They had two children: a daughter, Ulpia Marciana, and a son, Marcus, the future emperor Trajan.

## Career

The chronology of Traianus' career is uncertain. He may have taken his seat in the senate by the reign of Claudius. In the time of Nero, he may have commanded a legion under the general Gnaeus Domitius Corbulo; during the First Jewish–Roman War, from AD 67 to 68, he came into favour with the future emperor Vespasian, then governor of Judaea, under whom he commanded the Tenth Legion. After his accession to the Empire, Vespasian recognized Traianus' military successes by awarding him the governorship of Cappadocia, and naming him consul suffectus for the months of September and October in AD 72. After his consulship, Trajan served as governor of Syria from AD 73 to 74, then proconsul of Asia from AD 79 to 80. He was also governor of Hispania Baetica, but the time of this appointment is unknown.

## Legacy

Traianus lived out his final years in honor and distinction. Indirect evidence suggests that he may have died before his son became emperor in AD 98. In AD 100, his son founded a colony in North Africa, named Colonia Marciana Ulpia Trajana Thamugadi after his mother and father; today the town is known as Timgad, in Algeria. In AD 112, Traianus was deified by his son, becoming known as Divus Traianus Pater.

## Nerva–Antonine family tree

vteNerva–Antonine family tree :
| Q. Marcius Barea Soranus | Q. Marcius Barea Soranus | Q. Marcius Barea Soranus | Q. Marcius Barea Soranus | Q. Marcius Barea Soranus | Q. Marcius Barea Soranus | | | Q. Marcius Barea Sura | Q. Marcius Barea Sura | Q. Marcius Barea Sura | Q. Marcius Barea Sura | Q. Marcius Barea Sura | Q. Marcius Barea Sura | | | Antonia Furnilla | Antonia Furnilla | Antonia Furnilla | Antonia Furnilla | Antonia Furnilla | Antonia Furnilla | | | | | | | | | | | M. Cocceius Nerva | M. Cocceius Nerva | M. Cocceius Nerva | M. Cocceius Nerva | M. Cocceius Nerva | M. Cocceius Nerva | | | Sergia Plautilla | Sergia Plautilla | Sergia Plautilla | Sergia Plautilla | Sergia Plautilla | Sergia Plautilla | | | | | | | | | | | P. Aelius Hadrianus | P. Aelius Hadrianus | P. Aelius Hadrianus | P. Aelius Hadrianus | P. Aelius Hadrianus | P. Aelius Hadrianus |
| Titus (r. 79–81) | Titus (r. 79–81) | Titus (r. 79–81) | Titus (r. 79–81) | Titus (r. 79–81) | Titus (r. 79–81) | | | Marcia Furnilla | Marcia Furnilla | Marcia Furnilla | Marcia Furnilla | Marcia Furnilla | Marcia Furnilla | | | Marcia | Marcia | Marcia | Marcia | Marcia | Marcia | | | Trajanus Pater | Trajanus Pater | Trajanus Pater | Trajanus Pater | Trajanus Pater | Trajanus Pater | | | | | | | Nerva (r. 96–98) | Nerva (r. 96–98) | Nerva (r. 96–98) | Nerva (r. 96–98) | Nerva (r. 96–98) | Nerva (r. 96–98) | | | | | | | Ulpia | Ulpia | Ulpia | Ulpia | Ulpia | Ulpia | | | Aelius Hadrianus Marullinus | Aelius Hadrianus Marullinus | Aelius Hadrianus Marullinus | Aelius Hadrianus Marullinus | Aelius Hadrianus Marullinus | Aelius Hadrianus Marullinus |
| | | | | Flavia | Flavia | Flavia | Flavia | Flavia | Flavia | | | Marciana | Marciana | Marciana | Marciana | Marciana | Marciana | | | C. Salonius Matidius | C. Salonius Matidius | C. Salonius Matidius | C. Salonius Matidius | C. Salonius Matidius | C. Salonius Matidius | | | Trajan (r. 98–117) | Trajan (r. 98–117) | Trajan (r. 98–117) | Trajan (r. 98–117) | Trajan (r. 98–117) | Trajan (r. 98–117) | | | Plotina | Plotina | Plotina | Plotina | Plotina | Plotina | | | P. Acilius Attianus | P. Acilius Attianus | P. Acilius Attianus | P. Acilius Attianus | P. Acilius Attianus | P. Acilius Attianus | | | P. Aelius Afer | P. Aelius Afer | P. Aelius Afer | P. Aelius Afer | P. Aelius Afer | P. Aelius Afer | | | Paulina Major | Paulina Major | Paulina Major | Paulina Major | Paulina Major | Paulina Major |
| Lucius Mindius (2) | Lucius Mindius (2) | Lucius Mindius (2) | Lucius Mindius (2) | Lucius Mindius (2) | Lucius Mindius (2) | | | Libo Rupilius Frugi (3) | Libo Rupilius Frugi (3) | Libo Rupilius Frugi (3) | Libo Rupilius Frugi (3) | Libo Rupilius Frugi (3) | Libo Rupilius Frugi (3) | | | | | Salonia Matidia | Salonia Matidia | Salonia Matidia | Salonia Matidia | Salonia Matidia | Salonia Matidia | | | L. Vibius Sabinus (1) | L. Vibius Sabinus (1) | L. Vibius Sabinus (1) | L. Vibius Sabinus (1) | L. Vibius Sabinus (1) | L. Vibius Sabinus (1) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Paulina Minor | Paulina Minor | Paulina Minor | Paulina Minor | Paulina Minor | Paulina Minor | | | L. Julius Ursus Servianus | L. Julius Ursus Servianus | L. Julius Ursus Servianus | L. Julius Ursus Servianus | L. Julius Ursus Servianus | L. Julius Ursus Servianus |
| | | | | Matidia Minor | Matidia Minor | Matidia Minor | Matidia Minor | Matidia Minor | Matidia Minor | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Sabina | Sabina | Sabina | Sabina | Sabina | Sabina | | | Hadrian (r. 117–138) | Hadrian (r. 117–138) | Hadrian (r. 117–138) | Hadrian (r. 117–138) | Hadrian (r. 117–138) | Hadrian (r. 117–138) | | | Antinous | Antinous | Antinous | Antinous | Antinous | Antinous | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | C. Fuscus Salinator I | C. Fuscus Salinator I | C. Fuscus Salinator I | C. Fuscus Salinator I | C. Fuscus Salinator I | C. Fuscus Salinator I | | | Julia Serviana Paulina | Julia Serviana Paulina | Julia Serviana Paulina | Julia Serviana Paulina | Julia Serviana Paulina | Julia Serviana Paulina |
| M. Annius Verus | M. Annius Verus | M. Annius Verus | M. Annius Verus | M. Annius Verus | M. Annius Verus | | | Rupilia Faustina | Rupilia Faustina | Rupilia Faustina | Rupilia Faustina | Rupilia Faustina | Rupilia Faustina | | | | | | | | | | | Boionia Procilla | Boionia Procilla | Boionia Procilla | Boionia Procilla | Boionia Procilla | Boionia Procilla | | | Cn. Arrius Antoninus | Cn. Arrius Antoninus | Cn. Arrius Antoninus | Cn. Arrius Antoninus | Cn. Arrius Antoninus | Cn. Arrius Antoninus | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | L. Ceionius Commodus | L. Ceionius Commodus | L. Ceionius Commodus | L. Ceionius Commodus | L. Ceionius Commodus | L. Ceionius Commodus | | | Appia Severa | Appia Severa | Appia Severa | Appia Severa | Appia Severa | Appia Severa | | | C. Fuscus Salinator II | C. Fuscus Salinator II | C. Fuscus Salinator II | C. Fuscus Salinator II | C. Fuscus Salinator II | C. Fuscus Salinator II |
| | | | | | | | | L. Caesennius Paetus | L. Caesennius Paetus | L. Caesennius Paetus | L. Caesennius Paetus | L. Caesennius Paetus | L. Caesennius Paetus | | | | | | | | | | | Arria Antonina | Arria Antonina | Arria Antonina | Arria Antonina | Arria Antonina | Arria Antonina | | | Arria Fadilla | Arria Fadilla | Arria Fadilla | Arria Fadilla | Arria Fadilla | Arria Fadilla | | | | | T. Aurelius Fulvus | T. Aurelius Fulvus | T. Aurelius Fulvus | T. Aurelius Fulvus | T. Aurelius Fulvus | T. Aurelius Fulvus | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | L. Caesennius Antoninus | L. Caesennius Antoninus | L. Caesennius Antoninus | L. Caesennius Antoninus | L. Caesennius Antoninus | L. Caesennius Antoninus | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | L. Commodus | L. Commodus | L. Commodus | L. Commodus | L. Commodus | L. Commodus | | | Plautia | Plautia | Plautia | Plautia | Plautia | Plautia | | | unknown | unknown | unknown | unknown | unknown | unknown | | | C. Avidius Nigrinus | C. Avidius Nigrinus | C. Avidius Nigrinus | C. Avidius Nigrinus | C. Avidius Nigrinus | C. Avidius Nigrinus |
| M. Annius Verus | M. Annius Verus | M. Annius Verus | M. Annius Verus | M. Annius Verus | M. Annius Verus | | | Calvisia Domitia Lucilla | Calvisia Domitia Lucilla | Calvisia Domitia Lucilla | Calvisia Domitia Lucilla | Calvisia Domitia Lucilla | Calvisia Domitia Lucilla | | | | | | | Fundania | Fundania | Fundania | Fundania | Fundania | Fundania | | | M. Annius Libo | M. Annius Libo | M. Annius Libo | M. Annius Libo | M. Annius Libo | M. Annius Libo | | | Faustina | Faustina | Faustina | Faustina | Faustina | Faustina | | | Antoninus Pius (r. 138–161) | Antoninus Pius (r. 138–161) | Antoninus Pius (r. 138–161) | Antoninus Pius (r. 138–161) | Antoninus Pius (r. 138–161) | Antoninus Pius (r. 138–161) | | | | | | | L. Aelius Caesar | L. Aelius Caesar | L. Aelius Caesar | L. Aelius Caesar | L. Aelius Caesar | L. Aelius Caesar | | | | | | | | | | | Avidia | Avidia | Avidia | Avidia | Avidia | Avidia |
| Cornificia | Cornificia | Cornificia | Cornificia | Cornificia | Cornificia | | | Marcus Aurelius (r. 161–180) | Marcus Aurelius (r. 161–180) | Marcus Aurelius (r. 161–180) | Marcus Aurelius (r. 161–180) | Marcus Aurelius (r. 161–180) | Marcus Aurelius (r. 161–180) | | | | | Faustina Minor | Faustina Minor | Faustina Minor | Faustina Minor | Faustina Minor | Faustina Minor | | | C. Avidius Cassius | C. Avidius Cassius | C. Avidius Cassius | C. Avidius Cassius | C. Avidius Cassius | C. Avidius Cassius | | | | | Aurelia Fadilla | Aurelia Fadilla | Aurelia Fadilla | Aurelia Fadilla | Aurelia Fadilla | Aurelia Fadilla | | | Lucius Verus (r. 161–169) (1) | Lucius Verus (r. 161–169) (1) | Lucius Verus (r. 161–169) (1) | Lucius Verus (r. 161–169) (1) | Lucius Verus (r. 161–169) (1) | Lucius Verus (r. 161–169) (1) | | | Ceionia Fabia | Ceionia Fabia | Ceionia Fabia | Ceionia Fabia | Ceionia Fabia | Ceionia Fabia | | | Plautius Quintillus | Plautius Quintillus | Plautius Quintillus | Plautius Quintillus | Plautius Quintillus | Plautius Quintillus | | | Q. Servilius Pudens | Q. Servilius Pudens | Q. Servilius Pudens | Q. Servilius Pudens | Q. Servilius Pudens | Q. Servilius Pudens | | | Ceionia Plautia | Ceionia Plautia | Ceionia Plautia | Ceionia Plautia | Ceionia Plautia | Ceionia Plautia |
| Cornificia Minor | Cornificia Minor | Cornificia Minor | Cornificia Minor | Cornificia Minor | Cornificia Minor | | | M. Petronius Sura | M. Petronius Sura | M. Petronius Sura | M. Petronius Sura | M. Petronius Sura | M. Petronius Sura | | | Commodus (r. 177–192) | Commodus (r. 177–192) | Commodus (r. 177–192) | Commodus (r. 177–192) | Commodus (r. 177–192) | Commodus (r. 177–192) | | | Fadilla | Fadilla | Fadilla | Fadilla | Fadilla | Fadilla | | | M. Annius Verus Caesar | M. Annius Verus Caesar | M. Annius Verus Caesar | M. Annius Verus Caesar | M. Annius Verus Caesar | M. Annius Verus Caesar | | | Ti. Claudius Pompeianus (2) | Ti. Claudius Pompeianus (2) | Ti. Claudius Pompeianus (2) | Ti. Claudius Pompeianus (2) | Ti. Claudius Pompeianus (2) | Ti. Claudius Pompeianus (2) | | | Lucilla | Lucilla | Lucilla | Lucilla | Lucilla | Lucilla | | | | | M. Plautius Quintillus | M. Plautius Quintillus | M. Plautius Quintillus | M. Plautius Quintillus | M. Plautius Quintillus | M. Plautius Quintillus | | | Junius Licinius Balbus | Junius Licinius Balbus | Junius Licinius Balbus | Junius Licinius Balbus | Junius Licinius Balbus | Junius Licinius Balbus | | | Servilia Ceionia | Servilia Ceionia | Servilia Ceionia | Servilia Ceionia | Servilia Ceionia | Servilia Ceionia |
| | | | | Petronius Antoninus | Petronius Antoninus | Petronius Antoninus | Petronius Antoninus | Petronius Antoninus | Petronius Antoninus | | | L. Aurelius Agaclytus (2) | L. Aurelius Agaclytus (2) | L. Aurelius Agaclytus (2) | L. Aurelius Agaclytus (2) | L. Aurelius Agaclytus (2) | L. Aurelius Agaclytus (2) | | | Aurelia Sabina | Aurelia Sabina | Aurelia Sabina | Aurelia Sabina | Aurelia Sabina | Aurelia Sabina | | | L. Antistius Burrus (1) | L. Antistius Burrus (1) | L. Antistius Burrus (1) | L. Antistius Burrus (1) | L. Antistius Burrus (1) | L. Antistius Burrus (1) | | | Plautius Quintillus | Plautius Quintillus | Plautius Quintillus | Plautius Quintillus | Plautius Quintillus | Plautius Quintillus | | | Plautia Servilla | Plautia Servilla | Plautia Servilla | Plautia Servilla | Plautia Servilla | Plautia Servilla | | | | | C. Furius Sabinus Timesitheus | C. Furius Sabinus Timesitheus | C. Furius Sabinus Timesitheus | C. Furius Sabinus Timesitheus | C. Furius Sabinus Timesitheus | C. Furius Sabinus Timesitheus | | | Antonia Gordiana | Antonia Gordiana | Antonia Gordiana | Antonia Gordiana | Antonia Gordiana | Antonia Gordiana | | | Junius Licinius Balbus? | Junius Licinius Balbus? | Junius Licinius Balbus? | Junius Licinius Balbus? | Junius Licinius Balbus? | Junius Licinius Balbus? |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Furia Sabina Tranquillina | Furia Sabina Tranquillina | Furia Sabina Tranquillina | Furia Sabina Tranquillina | Furia Sabina Tranquillina | Furia Sabina Tranquillina | | | | | Gordian III (r. 238–244) | Gordian III (r. 238–244) | Gordian III (r. 238–244) | Gordian III (r. 238–244) | Gordian III (r. 238–244) | Gordian III (r. 238–244) |
* (1) = 1st spouse
* (2) = 2nd spouse
* (3) = 3rd spouse
* Reddish-purple indicates emperor of the Nerva–Antonine dynasty  lighter purple indicates designated imperial heir of said dynasty who never reigned  grey indicates unsuccessful imperial aspirants  bluish-purple indicates emperors of other dynasties
* dashed lines indicate adoption; dotted lines indicate love affairs/unmarried relationships
* Small Caps = posthumously deified (Augusti, Augustae, or other)
Notes:
Except where otherwise noted, the notes below indicate that an individual's parentage is as shown in the above family tree.
↑ Sister of Trajan's father: Giacosa (1977), p. 7.
↑ Giacosa (1977), p. 8.
1 2 Levick (2014), p. 161.
↑ Husband of Ulpia Marciana: Levick (2014), p. 161.
1 2 Giacosa (1977), p. 7.
1 2 3 DIR contributor (Herbert W. Benario, 2000), "Hadrian".
1 2 Giacosa (1977), p. 9.
↑ Husband of Salonia Matidia: Levick (2014), p. 161.
↑ Smith (1870), "Julius Servianus".
↑ Smith (1870), "Hadrian", pp. 319–322.
↑ Lover of Hadrian: Lambert (1984), p. 99 and passim; deification: Lamber (1984), pp. 2–5, etc.
↑ Husband of Rupilia Faustina: Levick (2014), p. 163.
1 2 3 4 Levick (2014), p. 163.
↑ It is uncertain whether Rupilia Faustina was Frugi's daughter by Salonia Matidia or another woman.
1 2 3 4 Levick (2014), p. 162.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Levick (2014), p. 164.
↑ Wife of M. Annius Verus: Giacosa (1977), p. 10.
↑ Wife of M. Annius Libo: Levick (2014), p. 163.
1 2 3 4 5 Giacosa (1977), p. 10.
↑ The epitomator of Cassius Dio (72.22) gives the story that Faustina the Elder promised to marry Avidius Cassius. This is also echoed in HA "Marcus Aurelius" 24.
↑ Husband of Ceionia Fabia: Levick (2014), p. 164.
1 2 3 Levick (2014), p. 117. :
References:
DIR contributors (2000). "De Imperatoribus Romanis: An Online Encyclopedia of Roman Rulers and Their Families". Retrieved 14 April 2015.
Giacosa, Giorgio (1977). Women of the Caesars: Their Lives and Portraits on Coins. Translated by R. Ross Holloway. Milan: Edizioni Arte e Moneta. ISBN 0-8390-0193-2.
Lambert, Royston (1984). Beloved and God: The Story of Hadrian and Antinous. New York: Viking. ISBN 0-670-15708-2.
Levick, Barbara (2014). Faustina I and II: Imperial Women of the Golden Age. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-537941-9.
Smith, William, ed. (1870). Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology. :