I wish there was an Antoninus Pius to give my vote to.

Explanation: In discussions of the ‘best’ Roman Emperors, Antoninus Pius often goes unnoticed in popular histories. While Augustus founded the Empire (a point against him honestly, by my reckoning), Trajan expanded it to its greatest extent, and Aurelian saved it from dissolution… Pius…

Did nothing. For 23 years.

At first that seems unremarkable, but autocratic regimes are generally unstable. 23 years of peace and quiet is not simply “party boy sits on his ass”, but the result of immensely competent and measured responses to every issue that comes up. 23 years of peace is a remarkable achievement - Pius had no great conquests to his name (other than a little sliver of Britain at the very start of his reign), but he invested in public infrastructure for clean water in the provinces, in public charity, in restricting the power of the Emperor (didn’t last, but it was a nice thought and I respect it!), in legal reform to presume innocence before guilt is proven, and in the provision of (limited) legal protections for slaves and minorities.

He did all of that while ensuring a budget surplus, supporting philosophy and the arts, reducing taxes, and being a good father to his two adoptive sons.

We love Gigachad NPC Antoninus Pius in this house!

Listened to the The History of Rome episode about Antonin just today!