In most other instances I would be inclined to agree with you but with regard to prophecy I think these other three emperors (inconsequential as they were) cause real problems for the Roman emperors theory of the heads of the dragon. I am not discarding it, rather, like other prophecies of Revelation I put various interpretations in my back pocket while I wait for the Holy Spirit or historical revelation to open my eyes, ears and heart to the correct interpretation. In the meantime I try to avoid getting caught up in the “newspaper” exegesis I see so many engage in.
Fair enough—it’s certainly debatable. I’m agnostic on the theory, but you’re right to avoid the newspaper exegesis.