The Nerva–Antonine dynasty is a dynasty of seven Roman Emperors who rule over the Roman Empire from 96 to 192.
These Emperors are Nerva, Trajan, Hadrian, Antoninus Pius, Marcus Aurelius, Lucius Verus, and Commodus.The first five of the six successions within this dynasty are notable in that the reigning Emperor adopts the candidate of his choice to be his successor.
Under Roman law, an adoption establishes a bond legally as strong as that of kinship.
Because of this, the second through sixth Nerva-Antonine emperors are also called Adoptive Emperors.This has often been considered as a conscious repudiation of the principle of dynastic inheritance and has been deemed as one of the factors of the period's prosperity.
However, this is not a new practice; Roman emperors had adopted heirs in the past: The Emperor Augustus had adopted Tiberius and the Emperor Claudius had adopted Nero.
The Imperator who appointed himself Dictator for Life, Gaius Julius Caesar, considered to be instrumental in the transition from Republic to Empire, adopted Octavian who would become Augustus, the first Emperor of Rome, even though he possibly had an illegitimate natural son Caesarion, by Cleopatra VII Philopator.
Moreover, there is a family connection as Trajan adopts his nephew Hadrian and Hadrian makes Antoninus Pius adopt Hadrian's cousin Marcus Aurelius.
The naming by Marcus Aurelius of his son Commodus is considered to be an unfortunate choice and the beginning of the Empire's decline.
