Final answer:
The correct order of the "five good emperors" of the Roman Empire is Nerva, Trajan, Hadrian, Antoninus Pius, and Marcus Aurelius. They led Rome through a golden age of peace and stability but were followed by Commodus, whose rule marked a decline.
Step-by-step explanation:
The order in which the "five good emperors" served the Roman Empire is correctly listed in option B) Nerva, Trajan, Hadrian, Antoninus Pius, Marcus Aurelius. These emperors were known for their fair and prosperous rule and were part of what is known as the Nerva-Antonine Dynasty, which brought a period of peace and stability to the empire. The tradition of adoptive succession, where emperors chose competent successors rather than relying on direct heirs, allowed for the empire to reach its peak under their collective governance.
However, this successful period came to an end when Marcus Aurelius, the last of the good emperors, broke tradition by appointing his biological son Commodus as his successor, which led to a decline in effective leadership. Despite the ultimate conclusion of their rule, the period under the five good emperors was seen as a golden age of Roman prosperity.