98 CE

Emperor Nerva suffers a stroke during a private audience. Nerva dies of a fever at his villa in the Gardens of Sallust and is succeeded by his adopted son Trajan. Trajan is the first Roman Emperor born in Italica, near Seville. A brilliant soldier and administrator, he enters Rome without ceremony and wins over the public. Continuing the policies of Augustus, Vespasian and Nerva, he restores the Senate to its full status in the government and begins a form of state welfare aimed at assuring that poor children are fed and taken care of. He has a specific vision of the Empire, which reaches its maximum extent under his rule, and keeps a close watch on finances. Taxes, without any increase, are sufficient during his reign to pay the considerable costs of the budget. The informers used by Domitian to support his tyranny are expelled from Rome. In order to maintain the Port of Alexandria, Trajan reopens the canal between the Nile and the Red Sea. Tacitus finishes his Germania (approximate date).

In the 90s, the 1st century.

Conflict & Security

  • Trajan elevates Ladenburg to city status (civitas).source

Economy & Finance

  • The silver content of the Roman denarius rises to 93 percent under emperor Trajan, up from 92 percent under Domitian.source

Health & Medicine

  • January 1 – Emperor Nerva suffers a stroke during a private audience.source

Culture & Society

  • Tacitus finishes his Germania (approximate date).source

Deaths

  • January 27 – Nerva dies of a fever at his villa in the Gardens of Sallust and is succeeded by his adopted son Trajan. Trajan is the first Roman Emperor born in Italica, near Seville. A brilliant soldier and administrator, he enters Rome without ceremony and wins over the public. Continuing the policies of Augustus, Vespasian and Nerva, he restores the Senate to its full status in the government and begins a form of state welfare aimed at assuring that poor children are fed and taken care of. He has a specific vision of the Empire, which reaches its maximum extent under his rule, and keeps a close watch on finances. Taxes, without any increase, are sufficient during his reign to pay the considerable costs of the budget. The informers used by Domitian to support his tyranny are expelled from Rome. In order to maintain the Port of Alexandria, Trajan reopens the canal between the Nile and the Red Sea.source
  • January 27 – Nerva, Roman emperor (born AD 30)source
  • Casperius Aelianus, Roman praetorian prefect (born AD 14)source