My research aims to examine the rise of the Roman Emperor Trajan (CE 98-117) using a prosopographic method. Epigraphic and documentary evidence, alongside the literary sources, allow a reconstruction of the events and individuals that engineered Trajan’s rise to the principate. By re-examining the evidence I hope to correct common misconceptions as to the nature of Trajan’s rise from a position of relative obscurity under the Flavian dynasty.

As part of this research I am utilising a framework of post-truth to understand the biases inherent in the ancient sources and the way the narrative was twisted to suit Trajan. This also encompasses the epigraphic, numismatic and more evidence from the city of Rome, to provide a more complete understanding of the ancient perception, understanding, reaction and memory of Trajan’s rise.