Dacian War Bas-Relief in Deva, Romania

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The Dacian Wars were a pair of military campaigns led by Roman Emperor Trajan against the kingdom of Dacia from 101 to 102 and again from 105 to 106. These conflicts arose due to the persistent threat posed by the Dacians to the Roman Province of Moesia along the Danube River, as well as the growing need for resources within the Roman Empire's economy. Trajan focused his attention on Dacia, a region located north of Macedon and Greece, east of the Danube River. Dacia had been a priority target for the Romans since before Caesar's time when they suffered defeat at the Battle of Histria. In AD 85, the Dacians crossed into Moesia, plundering and initially defeating an army sent by Emperor Domitian, but the Romans ultimately triumphed in the Battle of Tapae in 88 and a temporary truce was established. Trajan resumed hostilities against Dacia after Decebalus, the Dacian King, rebuilt his power over several years. In response to renewed Dacian aggression in 105, Trajan marched into Dacia once more, besieging the capital city of Sarmizegetusa and razing it to the ground. With Dacia under control, Trajan then launched an invasion of the Parthian Empire to the east, expanding the Roman Empire's borders to their greatest extent. Roman dominance in the eastern regions was maintained through a system of client states for several years, resulting in less direct military action compared to the west during this period.