Trajan

Spanish-born soldier-emperor under whom the Roman Empire reached its greatest territorial extent — five million square kilometers, from the Atlantic coast of Iberia to the Persian Gulf. His Dacian Wars yielded the gold that funded a massive building program in Rome including the eponymous Forum and Column. Officially adjudged Optimus Princeps, the best of emperors. Died of a stroke on the homeward march from his Parthian campaign.