Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1874-06-06
For the Essex County herald.
FIVE EMPER0RS OF ROME.
Br STUDENT.
N. Ulpius Trajanus, A. d. S9--117.

BI A STUDENT.
N. Ulpius Trajanus, A. D. S9--1I7.
NUMBER 3.
Trajan was born at Itallca in Spain,
about the year A. ID. So, and at the
death OF Neroa he was 40 years Of
age. He was the first Emperor OF
Rome who was not a native of Italy.
He was free from all the vices, except
an occasional indulgence in wine.
He had a strong mind, pleasing man.
ners, and a noble, and imposing APP
pearancc. His only desire when he
entered upon the duties of his Office
was to restore the simple manners and
virtuous habits of an earlier age.
At the death of Neroa he was at
Cologne and then entered upon the
duties Of office. He proceeded to
Rome and entered that village on
foot, followed by small retinue and
was welcomed on all sides by the &C.
clamatlon of the people. His first
acts were to establish the morals of
Rome, which were at that time very
low. In this he was aided by his wife
Plotina in company with her sister
Marcina, both women Of excellent
character-by their virtues revived
the virtues of the Roman matron.
Thus the society Of the city became
purified, and the family of the Empe.
ror offered an example of propriety,
that produced an excellent effect up
on the manners of the higher ranks.
Among Trajan's first acts was that of
establishing public schools in various
parts of Italy, for the maintenance
of poor children. lie also founded in
different parts Of Italy number Of
public libraries the largest Of the Sc
was the one which he founded at
Rome, which was called "Ulpian Ii
brary." He built magnificent build
ings, roads, and bridges and supplied
his empire with the various useful i'm
provments. He lived in fact only for
his people, and his life was passed in
devising and executing plans for their
advantage. At the beginning of his
reign he had by severe measures re-
duced the turbulent Pretorfans to
obedience.
Domitian had, during his reign,
promised Decebalus King of the Dra-
clans large tribute; and it was du-
ring the reign of Trajan that he de-
mandcd Of the Roman government
this tribute. Trnjan refused to- be
bound by SO disgraceful treaty, and
With 10000 soldiers he marched
against the Dracians who had boldly
advanced across the Danube; when
the two armies met terrible hattlc
ensued, in which the Romans were
victorious; but so great was the
slaughter that in the Roman camp
there was not linen to be found to
dress the wounds of the soldiers, but
Trajan seeing the need of more linen
tore UP the imperial robes to supply
their wants. He took the Capital OF
the Dracian King, an | defeated him
in various encounters afterwards, and
compelled him in A. d. 102 to make
peace giving up part of his territory
After his return to Rome, the Sen
ate conferred upon him the name OF
Dracius. The Dracians in A. d. 104
again rose in arms, and, Decebalus
was declared by the Senate a public
enemy. Trajan led the army in per-
son against the barbarians, and, &c
provide for an easy access into the
enemies territory, built stone bridge
Of immense size and strength, anC
fortified 1t at each end with towers
After the completion of his bridge Nc
advanced into the center of the hostile
country and again took the Capita
of the Dracians and reduced them tt
complete subsection. Decebalus
when he saw that there was no chanc,
for success, fell by his own hand.
All Dracia, comprising the modern
countries Of Moldavia, Wallachia
and Pennsylvania, became Roman
Provinces. He caused several Ro
man Colonies to be planted among thu
barbarians and thus for the first tim
opened TIE way TO spread civilization
in that savage country. Trajan nov
returned to Rome to triumph seconc
time for his Drac;an successes.
was at this time thai he commences
the celebl ated column, known as tn
"Trajan's Column )" in commemora
ticn of his victories. This Column still