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Trajan
He pushed Roman territory to its greatest extent, won wars the Senate called unwinnable, and built so much that the Romans chose him as the benchmark: emperors were wished to be 'luckier than Augustus and better than Trajan.'
53–117
Life Journey
Expansion, order and imperial ambition
Follow the story in a more continuous narrative, with a reading mode that matches how much depth you want.
53–70
Provincial roots
Born in a Roman province in Hispania, Trajan grew up in a military family, gaining early exposure to discipline and the expectations of imperial service.
