Pax Romana

From Encyclopedia Jr, free information reference for Kids

Roman Empire at its greatest extent with the conquests of Trajan

Pax Romana (27 BC-180 AD), Latin for "the Roman peace", is the long period of relative peace experienced by the Roman Empire. The term stems from the fact that Roman rule and its legal system pacified regions, sometimes forcefully, which had suffered from the quarrels between rival leaders.

[edit] Characteristics

During this time the Romans still fought a consistent number of wars against neighboring states and tribes, most notably the Germanic tribes and Persians, and there was still political unrest among the noble families. Nonetheless, the Pax Romana was an era of relative tranquility, in which Rome endured neither major civil wars, such as the perpetual bloodshed of the first century BC, nor serious invasions, such as those of the Second Punic War three centuries prior.

This period is generally considered to have lasted from 27 BC, when Augustus Caesar declared an end to the great Roman civil wars of the first century, until either 180 AD, when emperor Marcus Aurelius died, or the death of his son, Commodus, in 192 AD. It was a time in which Roman commerce thrived, unhampered by pirates or marauding enemy troops. It was not always peaceful; rebellions frequently appeared, but were quelled. For example, British tribes (Queen Boudica and the Iceni) rebelled against harsh Roman rule in 60 AD and at least 150,000 people lost their lives, a figure which does not include the massacre and starvation after the British defeat.

Additionally, both border skirmishes and Roman wars of conquest happened during this period. Trajan embarked on a series of campaigns against the Parthians during his reign and Marcus Aurelius spent almost the entire last decade of his rule defending the frontiers of the Empire. Indeed, one might argue that Rome was constantly involved in some conflict or another during the "Pax Romana." However, the interior provinces remained largely untouched by warfare, thus giving the empire the semblance of peace.

[edit] The "Five Good Emperors" of the Pax Romana

Marcus Aurelius

The "Five Good Emperors" were a series of five emperors who ruled the Roman Empire from 96 to 180 AD. They were known for their moderate policies, peaceful transitions, and virtuous leadership. Their rule was the height of the Empire's prosperity during the Pax Romana.

• Nerva
• Trajan
• Hadrian
• Antoninus Pius
• Marcus Aurelius

[edit] See also

The term Pax Romana influenced the description of other real or fictional periods of stability and peace in regions of the world. See for instance:

• Pax Americana
• Pax Britannica
• Pax Cybertronia
• Pax Europeana
• Pax Germanica
• Pax Hispanica
• Pax Mongolica
• Pax Ottomana
• Pax Praetoriana
• Pax Sinica
• Pax Syriana