Trajan

Trajan (53–117), born Marcus Ulpius Traianus at Italica in Hispania Baetica, was Roman emperor from 98 to 117 and the second of the Five Good Emperors; the Senate gave him the title optimus princeps, 'the best ruler'. He rose as a general under Domitian, and after a Praetorian revolt the childless Nerva adopted him in 97.

In Rome he expanded the alimenta welfare scheme and built Trajan's Forum and Column. His armies conquered Dacia in 101–106, annexed Nabataea in 106, and after 115 made Armenia, Mesopotamia and Assyria provinces at the expense of Parthia, carrying the empire to its greatest extent.

Taken ill on the voyage home, he died at Selinus shortly before 11 August 117. His cousin Hadrian, whom he had helped to raise as a ward, succeeded him. Tradition places his ashes in a small chamber beneath the Column.