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Ruling an ancient Empire came with responsibilities as well as perks. Rome’s Augusti held sway over their realm’s mints, and took the opportunity to promote their own interests. An example is provided by the current denarius, struck by Emperor Trajan to advertise the deification of his biological father, Marcus Ulpius Traianus Maior, more commonly referred to as Traianus or Trajan Pater (c. 30 AD – c. 100 AD).
That is not to say that Trajan’s father didn’t deserve divine distinction. Traianus, who hailed from the Ulpii clan of Hispania Baetica, established himself as a successful Roman military leader and politician. He married a Roman noblewoman named Marcia, and the couple raised two children, Trajan and Ulpia Marciana. Traianus earned distinction as a legion commander during the Great Jewish Revolt (66-70 AD) while serving under future Emperor Vespasian. Afterwards, Traianus scored a series of prestigious politico-military posts including governor of Syria. At that time, Traianus’ son Trajan also earned distinction in Syria, serving as a military tribune.
While Traianus’ prestige opened doors for his son, the latter rose to prominence within Rome’s military in his own right. In 97 AD, an ailing Emperor Nerva declared the popular Trajan as his adoptive son and heir. Early the following year, Nerva died and Trajan advanced to the rank of Emperor.
The date of Traianus’ death is unknown, although it is widely posited that it occurred before his son’s ascension. At least, Traianus lived long enough to see his son’s fame eclipse his own. From surviving ancient coinage, we know Traianus was deified around or before 113 AD. These coins are fascinating, not only from the perspective of a father-son relationship, but also for their historical context at the dawn of a new golden age for Rome. When Trajan was adopted as Nerva’s Caesar, the move represented the first time a Roman Emperor had declared a successor based on merit, rather than birthright. By deifying Traianus, Trajan had declared that his father also deserved imperial honorifics. Previously, Trajan saw to Nerva’s deification. It is important to note that neither Nerva nor Traianus carried imperial blood at their birth, in contrast to Rome’s previous dynasts-turned-deities. Trajan effectively gave his biological and adoptive fathers an equal billing. As an example, the verso on aureii struck in Rome featured the confronted busts of Traianus and Nerva. On the reverse of the current coin, Traianus’ image also bears imperial trappings; he is seated on a curule chair, and holds a patera and scepter.
Emperor Trajan’s true motivations, and the extent to which he genuinely practiced paternal worship cannot be known for certain. Even so, from coins such as this one, the takeaway is clear: Rome's throne and its imperial cult were no longer subject to exclusivity. More insight can be gleaned from Pliny the Younger’s
Panegyricus. The following excerpt, ostensibly relating to Trajan’s deification of Nerva, can also be - intriguingly - contemplated in the context of Traianus.
“You introduce your father to the stars not to put fear into your subjects, not to insult the gods, not for your own honor, but because you believe that he is a god. This is of no less account when done by those who think themselves gods too. But though you worship him with altars, gods’ couches and a priest, nothing you do makes and proves him god more than you being as you are."
Coin Details: ROMAN EMPIRE, Trajan, AR Denarius (19 mm, 3.16 g), Rome mint 115 AD, NGC Grade: Ch VF, Strike: 4/5, Surface: 4/5, Obverse: Laureate bust right, drapery on far shoulder, IMP TRAIANVS AVG GER DAC P M TR P COS VI P P, Reverse: Trajan's father seated left on curule chair, holding patera and scepter, DIVVS PATER TRAIAN, References: RIC 252.