Why was the lack of a formal system succession problem in Roman empire?

The lack of a formal system of succession was a major problem in the Roman Empire because it led to frequent civil wars and power struggles. When an emperor died, there was often no clear successor, and various generals and politicians would compete for the throne. These conflicts often resulted in bloodshed and instability, and could weaken the empire's defenses against its enemies.

There were several reasons why the Roman Empire lacked a formal system of succession. One reason was that the Roman Republic, which preceded the empire, had been founded on the principle of republican government, in which power was shared among a group of elected officials. This made it difficult to transfer power smoothly from one leader to another. Another reason was that the Roman Empire was a vast and diverse territory, and it was difficult to find a single individual who could command the loyalty of all the different regions and factions within the empire.

The lack of a formal system of succession was a major factor in the decline of the Roman Empire. It led to a series of weak and ineffectual emperors, and made it difficult for the empire to respond effectively to the challenges it faced.