Trajan, the first emperor not born on Italian soil, pushed the borders of the Roman Empire to their greatest extent ever by annexing Dacia and Mesopotamia. Hadrian, his successor, tirelessly toured Rome's far-flung provinces and worked to rebuild its administrative system. The mild-mannered Antoninus Pius proved himself a benevolent and brilliant ruler. Here we learn what set these three emperors apart from their distinguished peers, and why the second century AD is remembered as Rome's finest hour.

*CONTENTS*
Preface
Map of the Roman Empire
Chapter One: Emperor Trajan
Chapter Two: Emperor Hadrian
Chapter Three: Emperor Antoninus Pius
Chronology
References
About the Series and Author