Trajan Coin Ring

Few emperors in the annals of Roman history were as successful as Trajan, who ruled from 98-117 AD. Through his military conquests, he expanded the boundaries of the empire to their greatest capacity. Of Spanish extraction, Trajan became one of Rome’s most able generals, and was adopted by senator-turned-emperor, Nerva, as his intended successor.

Nerva recognized Trajans’ excellent rapport with the army which had essentially replaced the senate as the real power in the empire and knew that a man of Trajan’s capacity could assure a stable and prosperous future for Rome. Trajan laid the foundation of the great Roman prosperity of the 2nd century AD – a time that was a welcome change from the turbulent century that ended upon Trajans’ elevation to the supreme office of Emperor.