alternatehistory.com

The Antonine Plague was an epidemic which occurred from AD 165-180, and which is generally agreed as having been brought back to Rome by troops returning from campaigns in the Near East. It lingered from 165-170, and then broke out again in 174, reportedly causing 2,000 deaths a day in Rome, with those deaths being only a quarter of the infected population. About 5 million people died from it, including two Roman emperors: Lucius Verus in 169, and Marcus Aurelius (more likely than not) in 180.

With that being said... what if it never happened? Let's say whichever disease it was, most probably smallpox, does not reach the Roman forces, either staying contained in those far-off places where it originated, or never coming into being at all. What happens to Rome? What happens to its campaigns into the East and in Central Europe? And, most importantly to the Empire's direction, what happens as a result of the younger, healthier co-emperor Lucius Verus staying alive for the rest of Marcus Aurelius's reign (which itself is now longer because of the plague's butterflying)?

All of these, try to address. Combined, you have much more knowledge on the topic than I. Go forth! :)
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