Bust of Emperor Trajan

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Trajan dominated Roman emperors from 98 to 117 AD, officially acclaimed by the Senate as optimus princeps ("the best ruler"). His reign is remembered for successful military expansion, leading the empire to its maximum territorial extent by the time of his death. He's also renowned for his philanthropic rule, overseeing extensive public building programs and implementing social welfare policies that earned him a lasting reputation as one of the Five Good Emperors who presided over an era of peace and prosperity in the Mediterranean world. Born in Italica, Trajan rose to prominence during Domitian's reign. He served as legatus legionis in Hispania Tarraconensis, supporting Domitian against Antonius Saturninus' revolt on the Rhine in 89. In September 96, Domitian was succeeded by Marcus Cocceius Nerva, an old and childless senator who proved unpopular with the army. After a tumultuous year, culminating in a Praetorian Guard revolt, Nerva adopted Trajan as his heir and successor without incident. As a civilian administrator, Trajan's extensive public building program reshaped Rome and left enduring landmarks like Trajan's Forum, Trajan's Market, and Trajan's Column. He annexed the Nabataean Kingdom, creating Arabia Petraea province early in his reign. The conquest of Dacia enriched the empire with valuable gold mines but exposed it to attack from three sides, leading Emperor Aurelian to abandon the province later. Trajan's war against the Parthian Empire ended with Ctesiphon's sack and the annexation of Armenia and Mesopotamia. His campaigns expanded the Roman Empire to its greatest territorial extent. In late 117, Trajan fell ill while sailing back to Rome and died of a stroke in Selinus. He was deified by the Senate, and his ashes were laid to rest under Trajan's Column. Hadrian succeeded him as emperor.