On January 27, 98 AD, Trajan became Emperor of Rome, succeeding his (adoptive) father Nerva as Emperor. Trajan ruled until his death in 117, a time when Rome saw its greatest military and territorial success.
Digging Deeper
Many readers may immediately think of Gaius Julius Caesar when the subject of “greatest Roman emperors” comes up, but in fact, Julius Caesar was not emperor, as that office did not exist at that time. The first person to be considered Emperor of Rome was Augustus, the great nephew (and adopted son) of Julius Caesar. Born Gaius Octavius, Augustus was named by Julius Caesar as his heir, but when Julius was assassinated in 44 BC there was a time of disruption and war amongst Romans in a struggle for power. Octavius/Augustus came out on top after a series of several years of warfare and consolidating power. The lineage of Roman emperors started with Augustus, although it is not totally unfair to consider Julius Caesar as emperor in all but official title.
