Marcus Ulpius Trajanus (Trajan), born at Itlica (now Seville), distinguished himself as a soldier and was adopted as heir by emperor Nerva, whom he succeeded in 98 AD.

He was a just and conscientious ruler, corresponded with Pliny about the Christians, and conquered Dacia (approximately modern Romania) in 101-07, and much of Parthia.

The beautiful Trajan's Column, in Rome, commemorates his victories. Trajan died of a stroke in Syria.