Board Thread:Timeline Discussions/@comment-6912688-20130416211138/@comment-6912688-20130519195918

You know what. I've been researching, and I believe you're right. My timeline is completely impossible. However, I've got a much more realistic one:

Antonius the Traveler

Basically, Antonius Pius is a lot more provincially inclined than he is in OTL. He takes an extended tour of the empire, bringing Marcus Aurelius, and Lucius Aurelius (in OTL would soon become Lucius Verus) with him. When he reaches Epirus, he contracts a disease and dies earlier than in OTL. Because of this, not only is Marcus more knowledgeable about the provinces, but he assumes power earlier and does not feel obligated to fulfill Hadrian's wish and promote Verus to co-Emperor. Due to this, the Roman Empire rides out the Parthian invasion better. Marcus takes direct command of this invasion, there being no Lucius to appoint generals to do his work, and kicks the Parthians out of Armenia. However, he does not wish to expand the Empire's borders, so does not follow up his victory with an incursion into Parthian territory. Due to this, there is no siege of Seleucia, and therefore no Antonine plague. This, coupled with the fact that Aurelius is more knowledgeable about the Empire and reigns for longer (takes power earlier, is not killed by the plague), means a lot of good things for the Empire.

This timeline should work better because I know a lot more about the period. Go ahead and delete my previous ones. I'll go plan the details for this one.