Marcus Ulpius Traianus (senator)
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Marcus Ulpius Traianus Major (Major in Latin: ‘the elder’, About 30 AD - Before 100 AD) was a Roman who lived in the first century. Traianus was a member of gens Ulpia. Traianus was originally from Spain, but is of Roman descent. His mother is unknown, however his paternal ancestors migrated from Italy and settled in Italica in the Roman Province of Hispania Baetica (Italica is near modern, Seville, Spain). His sister was called Ulpia Traiana, who would be the mother of praetor Publius Aelius Hadrianus Afer (father of Roman Emperor Hadrian). Traianus married a Roman woman called Marcia. They had two children, a daughter called Ulpia Marciana and a son the future Roman Emperor Trajan. He was the maternal grandfather to Salonina Matidia; a maternal uncle to praetor Publius Aelius Hadrianus Afer and a great paternal uncle to future Roman Emperor Hadrian.
Traianus was the first member of his family to enter the senate. Before 67 AD, Traianus might of commanded a legion under the Roman General Gnaeus Domitius Corbulo. Under Vespasian (who was the Roman Governor of Judea), Traianus commanded the tenth legion legio X Frentensis during the Jewish War between 67 AD - 68 AD. During this time, he had become in favor with the future Roman Emperor.
Due to his success that the Romans won, Traianus was awarded by Vespasian, the Governorship of an unknown Roman province and awarded with the consulship in 70 AD. In later years, he served as a Roman Governor of Hispania Baetica, Syria, in 79 AD or 80 AD governed an unknown African province and then western Asia Minor. During his time in Syria, Traianus prevented a Parthian invasion.
Traianus lived in his final years in honor and distinction and probably lived to see his son to become Emperor. In 113 AD, Traianus was deified, by his son and his titulature reads divus Traianus pater.
