Final answer:
The Five Good Emperors from Nerva to Marcus Aurelius were chosen through a system of adoption, where each emperor appointed a capable successor from the Roman elite, prioritizing merit over heredity. This system maintained Roman stability until Marcus Aurelius appointed his natural-born son, leading to decline.
Step-by-step explanation:
How the Five Good Emperors Were Chosen
From 96 to 180 AD, during the time of the Nerva-Antonine Dynasty, the succession of the Five Good Emperors was based on a system of adoption. Each emperor chose his successor from among the most capable men of the younger generation of Roman elites, rather than handing down power through familial inheritance. These emperors were selected due to their merits and were often raised from their youth with the prospect of ruling in mind, embodying the concept of a philosopher-king. This pragmatic and meritocratic approach to succession maintained the prosperity and stability of the Roman Empire at its height.
Legacy was crucial in this period, as these emperors, with the notable exception of Marcus Aurelius, did not have natural-born direct heirs who survived into adulthood. Therefore, they adopted younger men whom they deemed suitable for leadership, ensuring a stable transfer of power. For example, Trajan, who was deemed optimus princeps, was notable for his leadership abilities and military successes, and he passed on the mantle through adoption. This trend of competent leadership continued until Marcus Aurelius decided to break from this practice by appointing his own son, Commodus, whose rule was marked by incompetence and decline.