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====Background====
[[File: Trajan Two.jpg|200px|thumb|left|A relief showing a battle between Romans and Dacians]]
Trajan’s reign (98-117 AD) occurred at perhaps one of the greatest eras in Roman History. In the First Century A.D., the economy of Rome had been expanding for many years and the Empire continued to expand. The period witnessed a cultural renaissance and many of the great Latin writers wrote their greatest works at this time. Successive Emperors maintained the system that was perfected by Augustus, which was an imperial system that shared power with the Senatorial elite. This system had provided stability to a large part of Europe and the Near East. Marcus Ulpius Traianus was born in what is now modern Spain and was of Italian descent.<ref> Bennett, Julian. Trajan. Optimus Princeps. (Bloomington, Indiana University Press, 2001), p. 18</ref>
His father was a general and governor and was later enrolled in the Senate. Trajan grew up in Rome and he served with his father in Syria and he later enjoyed the favor of the Emperor Domitian and in 91 AD he served as consul.<ref>Bennet, p 34</ref> In 96 AD Domitian was assassinated in a conspiracy and Nerva ascended the throne. Trajan was governor of Lower Germany and was in command of several legions and was a very important power broker in the years after the death of Domitian. Nerva who was advanced in years adopted him as his son and heir.<ref>Bennet, p 46</ref>
====Reign of Trajan====
