Intrigue in the Palace, instability in ranks

The robes of the Caesar was a coveted prize and, as a result, many ambitious men sought to wear the purple.  . Because the empire lacked a clear, undisputed line of succession, the imperial throne frequently became a prize for ambitious generals, paralyzing effective long-term governance.  While this turnover might not have impacted the average citizen day to day it led to an uncertainty that ultimately negatively impacted what kind of positive the Emperor could have on his Empire.