Statue of Emperor Trajan

Replica of the statue of Emperor Trajan in Minturnae, Naples, National Archaeological Museum, made in the late first century of our era. Trajan, a Roman emperor who ruled from 98 AD until his death in 117 AD, was born in Hispania in 53 AD, making him the first emperor not born in Italy. He is known for his outstanding military skill and for expanding the Roman Empire to its maximum territorial extent. Trajan carried out successful military campaigns, with the most notable being the conquest of Dacia (modern-day Romania), culminating in victory in the Second Dacian War in 106 AD. He also launched campaigns in the Middle East, annexing Armenia and Mesopotamia to the empire. These victories, along with conquests in the east, marked the zenith of the Roman Empire in terms of size and extent. In addition to his military achievements, Trajan is remembered for his public works, including the construction of the famous Trajan’s Forum in Rome and Trajan’s Column, which commemorates his military victories. His rule is often considered a period of prosperity and stability in Roman history. Trajan died in 117 AD in Selinus, present-day Turkey, and was succeeded by his nephew, Emperor Hadrian.