The Pax Romana: Peace in the Roman Empire
The Pax Romana, which translates to Roman Peace, was a 200-year period in Roman history associated with little conflict or invasions, stability, and economic prosperity spanning from 27 BCE-180 CE.
The Roman Republic had not seen an era of peace this long in their history. This was also the period when the Roman Republic transitioned to the Roman Empire.
This period was ushered in by Gaius Octavian, Julius Caesar’s grandnephew to whom he left his wealth to after his assassination. Octavian assumed the title of Augustus, the great ruler, after emerging victorious against Mark Antony in 31 BCE.
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.