Marcus Traianus -

: 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.

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 Marcus Traianus

: Following his victory in the Dacian Wars, Trajan hosted one of the most massive celebrations in Roman history. He sponsored 123 days of public festivities at the Colosseum, featuring roughly 10,000 gladiators and 11,000 wild animals. : After being adopted as heir by the