Another interesting what-if is what would have happened had Aurelian lived? Generally, and considering his remarkable feat of restoring the Roman Empire as it seemed ready to fall apart, it’s tempting to imagine what he could have done with a long reign.
Specifically, I wonder how his invasion of Persia would have turned out?
It’s a shame that the sources are so poor for that time period, and it’s a shame that someone as remarkable as Aurelian is known only to Roman history enthusiasts.
Actually, our sources are poor for most of the Empire. Which is probably why most people, if they've heard of any emperors at all, are familiar with Augustus thru Nero.
I've had discussions with people on FR who seemed to think it was the decadence of Calugula and Nero that caused the "Fall of the Empire!"
As though it didn't last another 400 years in the west and 1000 in the east.