Book excerpt: Trajan - Lion of Rome is a historical novel, based on the life of the Emperor Trajan (ruled 98-117 AD), who expanded the Roman Empire to its maximum size. The reader plunges into a world riveted by the power struggles between Empire and rebels, Emperor and Senate and Rome versus competing kingdoms at its borders. The book is meticulously researched and stays true to the historic events.Trajan, the son of a general, grows up with aspirations to exceed his thriving father as a soldier. Successful beyond his own expectations, Trajan is soon drawn into the conflict between the tyrant Domitian and a resentful Senate, led by Nerva. He needs to choose sides, supported by his wife Plotina and cousin Hadrian. After Domitian¿s assassination Nerva takes over and appoints Trajan as his successor. When Nerva dies two years later Trajan¿s time has come. Now he has to prove himself against the temptations of power and the siren song of military glory. He succeeds by leading a war of necessity against Dacian invaders, but his conquest of Mesopotamia turns into a huge challenge for himself and the whole Roman army.