Trajan

Born Marcus Ulpius Traianus in Italica, a Roman settlement in modern Andalusia, Spain. His father is a general and senator. Trajan is the first Roman emperor born outside Italy. He rises through the military ranks under Domitian. When Nerva needs a popular successor, the army's choice is obvious.

Becomes emperor after Nerva's death. He doesn't rush to Rome. Stays on the Rhine frontier for over a year, inspecting troops and borders. When he finally enters the capital, he walks. No chariot. The Senate gives him the title Optimus Princeps. Best ruler.

Conquers Dacia after two brutal wars. The Dacian king Decebalus kills himself rather than be captured. Trajan returns to Rome with 165 tons of gold and 330 tons of silver. He uses the money to build his forum, his markets, and his column. The column still stands. 155 scenes spiral upward, telling the story of the wars in stone.

Completes Trajan's Forum, the largest of the imperial forums. Adjacent to it: Trajan's Market, a multi-level complex that functions as the ancient world's first shopping mall. He also expands the alimenta, a welfare program feeding poor children across Italy. The soldier-emperor builds more than he destroys.

Reaches the Persian Gulf after conquering Mesopotamia and Armenia from the Parthians. The Roman Empire hits its maximum territorial extent. He reportedly stands on the shore and says he'd march to India if he were younger. He is 63. His health is failing.

Dies of a stroke in Selinus, southern Turkey, while sailing back to Rome. He is 63. His ashes are placed in an urn at the base of Trajan's Column. The Senate deifies him. For centuries afterward, new emperors are wished "May you be luckier than Augustus and better than Trajan."