Trajan
Born in September of 53, Trajan was a Roman emperor who reigned from 98 until he died in 117. He was declared the optimus princeps by the Roman Senate. This meant “the best ruler”! They recognized him as one of the greatest soldier-emperors in history. He led what might be the greatest military expansion in Roman history. After his death, the empire achieved its maximum territorial reach.
What Trajan Really Looked Like
The reconstructionists used this marble bust of Trajan. Archaeologists believe that it was created in 113 AD. They assumed that the artist saw Trajan in person based on the quality of the work. When they found it, the statue was broken into more than 356 fragments after an earthquake caused it to break.