Which of the following best explains why Rome flourished under the leadership of several incompetent emperors? The military had greater responsibility for Rome's success than the emperor. The legal and organizational structure of Rome limited the power of emperors. Wars of conquest distracted from the failures of emperors. Trade and commerce continued despite inept leadership.

The correct answer is: The legal and organizational structure of Rome limited the power of emperors.<br /><br />Explanation: The legal and organizational structure of Rome, including the Senate and various governing bodies, placed limits on the power of the emperor. This system of checks and balances meant that even incompetent emperors could not completely dominate the government or make unilateral decisions. As a result, the failures of individual emperors were somewhat mitigated by the existing structures and institutions within Rome.