The Pax Romana: Peace in the Roman Empire
The Pax Romana, which translates to “Roman Peace,” was a time in Roman history that lasted about 200 years, from 27 BCE to 180 CE. During this time, there were few wars or invasions, and the empire was stable and prosperous.
It was the longest period of peace Rome had ever experienced. This was also when Rome changed from being a republic to becoming an empire.
The Pax Romana began under the rule of Julius Caesar’s grandnephew and adopted son, Gaius Octavian. In his will, Caesar named Octavian as his heir.
After Caesar was assassinated, Octavian fought for control of Rome. He defeated Mark Antony and Cleopatra in 31 BCE and later took the title Augustus, becoming the first emperor of Rome.
Augustus established the form of government now known as a Principate, which meshed elements from the Republic that were already in place with the traditional power of a monarchy. He proclaimed himself Princeps, or the First Senator, to appease the other senators.
Augustus held say in almost all political decisions. The Roman population had grown to over 70 million, increasing the need for common rule, law, and justice.
Augustus established a civil service to police the land, along with creating a uniform Rule of Law. He introduced a common currency and secured travel and trade throughout the empire and Mediterranean Sea, ridding the area of pirates. This move stabilized much of the outer regions of Rome and introduced elevated levels of economic growth.
The new invention of concrete came at the perfect time for Augustus. Roman infrastructure was expanding exponentially with new and improved roads. Concrete was used as a building material and caused a boom in the construction economy.
Expanding infrastructure with safer travel made trade with the further regions of the empire much easier via the Mediterranean Sea and concrete roads.
Romans sailed east to gather skills, crafts, and spices, allowing greater opportunity and access to wealth. As a result, profits were made and incomes increased throughout the empire. Rome was at an all-time high.
With the economy booming and increased stability to more social classes, an emphasis was placed on family and life. Families could stay together, with the quality of life and overall life expectancy improving during Pax Romana.
Ideas and goods travelled quickly during the Pax Romana, with Roman culture flowing east and west along trade routes. The culture of Rome was becoming what we know it as today. Histories of Rome were published by the writers Livy and Tacitus. The arts were booming with new creativity, muses, and influences.
Artists and sculptors produced mosaics, statues, and paintings daily. Craftsmen and artisans built large palaces, amphitheaters, entertainment centers, and arenas with massive basin arenas dug into the center where crowds would gather to watch 3,000 men mimic sea battles on real seafaring vessels.
There was one main flaw in the Roman Empire under the Principate; the transfer of power. There were not any written laws to detail the transfer of power. When an emperor passed there was always the possibility of succession, civil war, or crisis. Power was peacefully passed on during the reign of the “Five Good Emperors." However, when Marcus Aurelius, the last of these “good emperors”, died in 180 CE, the Pax Romana came to an end.