Basilica Ulpia in Rome

You're standing at the Basilica Ulpia, in the Forum of Trajan. Right now you're looking at a field of grey columns and scattered chunks of marble. But picture what once stood here: the largest basilica in ancient Rome. Emperor Trajan built it together with his forum, and both were dedicated on the same day in January 112. The name comes from his full name, Marcus Ulpius Traianus. He paid for the forum with loot from his wars against the Dacians. The basilica he paid for out of his own pocket.