117 CE
The year the Roman Empire reached its greatest territorial extent under Emperor Trajan, whose death in August passed the empire to Hadrian, a ruler who would adopt a dramatically different policy of consolidation over conquest.
Geopolitics & Power
- The Roman Empire reached its maximum territorial extent under Emperor Trajan, stretching from Britain in the northwest to Mesopotamia in the east, encompassing the entire Mediterranean basin and governing an estimated 55 to 70 million people.
- Emperor Trajan died on August 8 in Selinus, Cilicia, while returning from his eastern campaigns, and was succeeded by his adopted heir Hadrian.
- Hadrian quickly reversed Trajan's expansionist policy in the east, withdrawing Roman forces from Mesopotamia and establishing the Euphrates River as the empire's eastern boundary.
- Revolts among Jewish communities in Egypt, Cyrenaica, and Cyprus, known as the Kitos War, were violently suppressed by Roman forces during this period, resulting in massive casualties.
Climate & Environment
- Atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration was approximately 278 parts per million, as later confirmed by ice core analysis.
Society & Population
- The global population is estimated to have been approximately 256 million.