Hadrian's Dynasty

What would happen if Hadrian's wife had not suffered a miscarriage and later had an abortion, or what if Hadrian had married Antoninus Pius's daughter as was discussed after the death of Hadrian's wife Sabina and produced and Heir. How would this alter the Roman Empire would it reset the precedent of a Royal Dynasty because afterall Trajan and Hadrian were related, it most likely be called the Spanish Dynasty (Forgot name for Roman Spain). I for one think it would lead to a short Royal Dynasty because the Roman Empire at the time of the 5 Good Emperor was at it's peak and Trajan and Hadrian had the complete loyalty of the Legions but im looking for your opinion
 

Anaxagoras

Banned
The Empire was doing well at this point exactly BECAUSE, not in spite of, the lack of a hereditary dynasty. Since each Emperor during this time period choose his successor based on merit, rather than because he was the son of the emperor, you had a solid century or so of good government.

In your scenario, the Roman Empire would have fallen to pieces earlier than IOTL.
 

wormyguy

Banned
Hadrian was gay, so any "children" of his would likely not have actually been his children (Sabina had several affairs). That said, a royal dynasty need not necessarily have a continuous biological link (and it is likely not a single current one has).
 
As concepts of sexuality were constructed differently in antiquity, saying that Hadrian was gay in the modern meaning of the term does not neccessarily give the most complete view.
 

Tweeky

Banned
Hadrian was gay, so any "children" of his would likely not have actually been his children (Sabina had several affairs). That said, a royal dynasty need not necessarily have a continuous biological link (and it is likely not a single current one has).

I haven't studied history but my understanding is that the Greeks and the Romans were not hungup on sexuality the way christian societies were; so that would not be an impediment to Hadrian fathering children. Also, despite him being homosexual, i'm quite certain that he would've been sufficiently motivated to "Get it up" long enough with his wife to father several children.
 
Depending how long such a dynasty would last, there would not be much of a difference. The 2nd century was height of the Pax Romana, and unless such a dynasty proved expansive (which is doubtful, given its founder), there would have been no changes, with the exception of more hostility from the Senate, as Hadrian had never been popular with it. On the other hand, it might have spared us the absolute tedium that was the reign of Antoninus Pius.
 
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