Statue of Trajan unveiled

The statue of Roman Emperor Marcus Ulpius Nerva Traianus (Trajan) was found last year. The excavation work in ancient Laodicea, Turkey, found the statue, which dates to 113 A.D. It was in 356 pieces. Trajan is best known for his extensive public building program, which reshaped the city of Rome and left numerous landmarks such as Trajan’s Forum, Trajan’s Market and Trajan’s Column. His conquest of Dacia enriched the empire greatly. His campaigns expanded the Roman Empire to its greatest territorial extent. In late 117, while sailing back to Rome, Trajan fell ill and died of a stroke. He was deified by the Senate and his ashes were laid to rest under his column. He was succeeded by his cousin Hadrian.