Trajan: Optimus Princeps (Roman Imperial Biographies) [Paperback]

Julian Bennett (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0415241502 | ISBN-13: 978-0415241502 | Publication Date: December 23, 2000 | Edition: 2nd

Did Trajan really deserve his reputation as the embodiment of all imperial virtues? Why did Dante, writing in the Middle Ages, place him in the sixth sphere of Heaven among the Just and Temperate rulers?
In this, the only biography of Trajan available in English, Julian Bennett rigorously tests the substance of this glorious reputation. Surprisingly, for a Roman emperor, Trajan comes through the test with his reputation relatively intact.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'This book is certainly a valuable addition to the burgeoning collection of imperial biographies.' - David Shotter Classical Review --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

About the Author

JULIAN BENNETT is Lecturer in Archaeology at Bilkent University, Ankara, Turkey. After reading Archaeology at the University of Durham, he prepared a dissertation on HadrianÍs Wall at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne. He has been the English Heritage Field Officer for HadrianÍs Wall and has contributed articles to Britannia and Archaeologia Aeliana. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Routledge; 2nd edition (December 23, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0415241502
• ISBN-13: 978-0415241502
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,104,407 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is no Coffee Table Book, May 31, 2001

By 

Sean O'Brien (Denver, CO) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Trajan: Optimus Princeps (Paperback)

Julian Bennett's biography of Trajan goes into great detail of how the early Principate worked. Trajan's famliy's rise to power is discussed in the first few chapters. Also, the reign of the tyrant Domitian is given a good overview.

Certainly Trajan is one of the most admired rulers of the early Empire. His exploits in Dacia and Parthia are the stuff of legend. Fortunately Julian Bennett gives these campaigns full attention, but goes well beyond that to look at the workings of the Imperial government. Be warned this book is not for the novice in Roman History. The financial policies of the Empire are discussed in detail, such how the Princeps would determine how much gold and silver to put into coins. Also well documented is how the Provinces, both 'Senatorial' and 'Imperial', were governed and how the Legions higher command structures were handled, what today we would call 'corp' or 'army' command level.

If you are looking for just a history of the Dacian and Parthian wars you probably won't like the detail given the more 'mundane' aspects of Roman Imperial Government. However, if you are familiar with Roman history and want to see how the Principate worked on a more detailed and personal level this book is with out a doubt on of the best.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An Outstanding Biography of Trajan, June 26, 1999

By 

D. A Wend (Arlington Heights, IL USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Trajan: Optimus Princeps (Library Binding)

The achievement of Julian Bennett cannot be overestimated. His book, the first in English, is the major source for information about Trajan. The author is long-winded at times and I found his brief examination of the evolution of the principate unnecessary but, overall, this is a book not to be missed.

Mr. Bennett's presenation of Domitian was not entirely convincing for me. He seems to accept many of the bad stories about the emperor but also mentions that his reputation was blackened during Trajan's reign. However, a good comparison is made between the two emperors in the final chapter. Trajan was a lot like Domitian in his approach to power.

I would have liked more about Nerva in the book and Trajan's relationship to his adoptive father. For me, there seems to be some friction between them. Was there a reason Trajan did not issue commemorative coins for Nerva's deification?

Mr. Bennett gives an excellent examination of Trajan's coinage and provides a perspective from an archaelogical point of view. He covers every aspect of Trajan's career. This is not lite reading but, for the most part, is absorbing and thought-provoking.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply the best, March 21, 2002

By 

Hal A. Kramer (Summerville, South Carolina United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Trajan: Optimus Princeps (Paperback)

While a rather dry read at times, this book is simply unmatched in scope when it comes to describing the reign of Trajan from his rise to power to his death. The author does an excellent job at fine details such as with his discriptions of Hadrians campaigns and the financial situation of Rome.