"TRAJAN", 249-251 AD Capitaline Museums, Rome, Italy

The face of the Emperor Trajan, is depicted in this bust with impressionistic realism, eloquently showing his preocuation and anguish with an era of profound political and military instability. He ruled from 98 to 117 and was declared "optimus prniceps" for "the best among rulers". He expanded the empire to its maximum. In essense he not only conqueredd but also was a great philantropist. Born near Seville in present-day Spain or Hispania Baetica, he rose to fame by supporting emperor Domitian during a revolt by Andonius Saturninus. Domitian was succeded by Nerva who was childless and was forced to adopt Trajan as his son. today, the impact of Trajan in Rome is evident in the Forum - a column in his honor for his victories in Dacia (which is de-facto his mausoleum), the Trajan's Forum and Market among other monuments. He adopted his cousin Hadrian to succeed him. His ashes were placed under the column named after him.