Adoptive Emperors and their Relatives

In ancient Rome, adoption of boys was a fairly common procedure, particularly in the upper senatorial class. The need for a male heir and the expense of raising children and the Roman inheritance rules (Lex Falcidia) strictly demanding legitimes were strong incentives to have at least one son, but not too many children. Adoption, the obvious solution, also served to cement ties between families, thus fostering and reinforcing alliances. Adoption of girls, however, was much less common.

In the Imperial period, the system also acted as a mechanism for ensuring a smooth succession, the emperor taking his chosen successor as his adopted son.


Possibly the most famous Roman adoptee was the Augustus first Emperor of the Roman Empire

The Nerva–Antonine dynasty was a dynasty of seven Roman Emperors who ruled over the Roman Empire from 96 AD to 192 AD. These Emperors are Nerva, Trajan, Hadrian, Antoninus Pius, Marcus Aurelius, Lucius Verus, and Commodus.

The first five of the six successions within this dynasty were notable in that the reigning Emperor adopted the candidate of his choice to be his successor. Under Roman law, an adoption established a bond legally as strong as that of kinship. Because of this, all but the first and last of the Nerva-Antonine emperors are called Adoptive Emperors.

Nerva–Antonine dynasty

Nerva: 96 - 98

Trajan: 98 - 117

Plotina: Trajan's wife.
Marciana: Trajan's sister.
Hadrian: 117 - 138

Lucius Aelius : Chosen by Hadrian as his successor. Died before Hadrian.
Sabina: Hadrian's wife.
Matidia: Sabina's mother
Matidia the Younger: Sabina's sister
Antinous: Hadrian's boyfriend (or "favorite" as they like to say in the Vatican)
Antoninus Pius: 138 - 161


Faustina the Elder; Antoninus's wife.
Marcus Aurelius: 161 - 180


Faustina the Younger: Marcus's wife. Daughter of Antoninus Pius.
Lucius Verus 161 - 166; (co-emperor of Marcus Aurelius)
Lucilla: Wife of Lucius Verus. Daughter of Marcus Aurelius.
Commodus: 180 - 192
Crispina: Sister of Commodus. Daughter of Marcus Aurelius.


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