Trajan

History
Trajan (Latin: Marcus Ulpius Nerva Traianus Augustus; 18 September 53 – 9 August 117), was Roman Emperor from 98 to 117 AD. Born into a non-patrician family in the province of Hispania Baetica, in Spain Trajan rose to prominence during the reign of emperor Domitian. Serving as a legatus legionis in Hispania Tarraconensis, in Spain, in 89 Trajan supported the emperor against a revolt on the Rhine led by Antonius Saturninus. In September 96, Domitian was succeeded by Marcus Cocceius Nerva, an old and childless senator who proved to be unpopular with the army. After a brief and tumultuous year in power, a revolt by members of the Praetorian Guard compelled him to adopt the more popular Trajan as his heir and successor. Nerva died on 27 January 98, and was succeeded by his adopted son without incident.

As a civilian administrator, Trajan is best known for his extensive public building program which reshaped the city of Rome and left multiple enduring landmarks such as Trajan's Forum, Trajan's Market and Trajan's Column. Early in his reign, he annexed the Nabataean kingdom, creating the province of Arabia Petraea. His conquest of Dacia enriched the empire greatly — the new province possessed many valuable gold mines. His war against the Parthian Empire ended with the sack of the capital Ctesiphon and the annexation of Armenia and Mesopotamia. 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 in the city of Selinus. He was deified by the Senate and his ashes were laid to rest under Trajan's Column. He was succeeded by his adopted son Hadrian.

As an emperor, Trajan's reputation has endured — he is one of the few rulers whose reputation has survived nineteen centuries. Every new emperor after him was honored by the Senate with the wish felicior Augusto, melior Traiano ("be luckier than Augustus and better than Trajan"). Among medieval Christian theologians, Trajan was considered a virtuous pagan, while the 18th century historian Edward Gibbon popularized the notion of the Five Good Emperors, of which Trajan was the second.

Battle vs Trajan (by CheesyCheese)
This is my first battle, so bear with me.

Saladin, defender of the Islamic faith during the Crusades.

Trajan, the wise Roman Emperor who carved much of the Roman Empire.

WHO....IS....DEADLIEST?

Note: This will be a 5-on-5 battle.

Saladin:

Trajan:

Trajan and two other men are in a camp sharpening their swords when a scout returns. He says their are approaching Arabs coming. The troops get ready and Saladin, on horseback, and his troops enter the camp. Saladin sees two men preparing the Scorpion. He draws his Recurve Bow, and shoots one of them down. . The Scorpion is fired, taking down Saladin's horse. Two Romans throw their Pilums at Saladin's troops. One of them kills a soldier. The other soldiers dives out of the way. Saladin and the soldiers charge at the camp, with Saladin firing his bow again, killing another Roman soldier. Trajan retreats, with Saladin in pursuit.

Trajan's men retreat into a forest. They set up an ambush. As Saladin's troops come closer, one of the Roman pops out and impales a Muslim with his gladius. He retreats further as a troop with a War Hammer runs after him. The troop throws his war hammer, causing the Roman to fall. As he gets up he is killed by a Scimitar. He turns around and and is ambushed by a Roman with a Dolabra. Saladin's soldier is hit in the chest three times, killing him. As he returns to fight with Trajan, he is watched by Saladin.

Trajan and a Muslim are fighting, and the latter is about to win until the other Roman comes and kills him. Saladin then shoots him with his last Recurve bow arrow. Saladin pulls out his scimitar and Trajan pulls out his gladius. He tries to strike at Trajan but it is blocked by his shield. Saladin and Trajan continue to fight, and Saladin manages to hit Trajan in the helmet. Trajan drops the shield, and Saladin presses, slasing Trajan in the cheek. Trajan falls to ground, and Saladin finishes him off with a strike to the neck. Saladin then yells in victory.

WINNER: Saladin