Trajan

13th Roman Emperor (98–117)

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Spain rank#136
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Lived 53–117, aged 64Spain

Spain PoliticiansPolitician

Wikipedia
110 languages
Cross-language footprint
Rank in Spain
#136
Politicians
Era
53–117
Aged 64

Summary

Updated 2026-06-08

The Roman emperor who pushed the empire to its absolute geographic peak — and earned a Senate title no predecessor had: optimus princeps, "the best ruler."

Biography

About

Born 18 September 53 in Italica, a Roman settlement in southern Spain, Marcus Ulpius Traianus came from Umbrian stock; his father was a distinguished senator and general. He rose under Domitian, commanding a legion in Spain and backing the emperor against a Rhine revolt in 89, then governing Germania and Pannonia. When the childless Nerva took power in 96 and faced a Praetorian mutiny, he adopted the popular general as heir. Trajan ruled from 98 to 117, building his forum, expanding welfare programs like the alimenta, and conducting the conquests that defined him: he annexed Nabataea and Dacia…

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