In addition, Trajan faced a number of external threats to his empire. The Parthians, a powerful empire based in what is now Iran, were a constant threat to the eastern frontier. The Germanic tribes, who lived beyond the Rhine and Danube rivers, were also a source of trouble. Trajan had to devote a significant amount of time and resources to defending his empire from these external threats.
Despite the challenges, Trajan was a successful emperor. He was able to maintain the empire's borders, defeat the Parthians, and expand the empire into new territories. He was also a popular emperor with the Roman people, who appreciated his military successes and his generosity.
Here are some of the specific challenges that Trajan faced in ruling his empire:
* The size of the empire. The Roman Empire was the largest empire in the world at the time, and it was difficult for Trajan to effectively control such a vast territory.
* The diversity of the empire. The empire included a wide variety of cultures, languages, and religions, and this made it difficult for Trajan to impose a uniform system of government and law on the entire empire.
* The external threats to the empire. The Parthians and the Germanic tribes were both powerful enemies, and they posed a constant threat to the empire's borders.
* The need for military resources. Trajan needed a large army and navy to defend the empire's borders and to expand the empire into new territories. This required a significant amount of money and resources.
* The need for a strong economy. The empire's economy was essential for funding the military and for providing for the needs of the Roman people. Trajan had to take steps to ensure that the economy was strong and that the people were prosperous.
Despite these challenges, Trajan was able to rule the empire successfully for nearly two decades. He was a skilled military leader, a wise statesman, and a popular emperor. He left a lasting legacy on the Roman Empire, and he is considered one of the greatest emperors in Roman history.