: After being adopted as heir by the unpopular Emperor Nerva, Trajan did not rush back to Rome. Instead, he stayed on the Germanic frontier for nearly a year to ensure the loyalty of the legions. He famously summoned the Praetorian Guard members who had bullied Nerva and, according to historian Cassius Dio, "put them out of the way" to restore order.
: Trajan was the first Roman emperor born outside of Italy, specifically in Italica, Spain. His rise from a "provincial" background to the throne was a major turning point in Roman social and political history. Marcus Traianus
The name refers to two significant figures in Roman history: the renowned Emperor Trajan (reigned 98–117 CE) and his father, a distinguished general and senator. : After being adopted as heir by the
Trajan's legacy is still visible today through several massive architectural projects in Rome: Trajan's Column Historical landmark Rome, Metropolitan City of Rome Capital, Italy : Trajan was the first Roman emperor born
: He was so highly regarded for his fairness and benevolence that the Senate officially bestowed upon him the title Optimus Princeps , meaning "the best ruler". For centuries after his death, new emperors were inaugurated with the wish that they would be "luckier than Augustus and better than Trajan".
A 98-foot marble column featuring a continuous spiral relief that acts like a stone "movie" of his Dacian campaigns. Mercati di Traiano Museo dei Fori Imperiali OpenRome, Metropolitan City of Rome Capital, Italy
One of the most compelling stories regarding the emperor involves his legendary . After leading a massive military expansion that brought the Roman Empire to its maximum territorial extent, Trajan reached the shores of the Persian Gulf. Watching a ship depart for India, the elderly emperor is said to have wept because he felt he was too old to follow in the footsteps of Alexander the Great and repeat his achievements in the East. Key Stories and Facts