The Pax Romana

What was the Pax Romana? And when did it occur?

What does Pax Romana mean?

• Pax Romana is Latin for “Roman Peace”• Think of this as Rome’s “Golden Age”

What is the Pax Romana?• The Pax Romana begin after the fall of the Roman

Republic and was established under Augustus• Thus, sometimes this is also referred to as the Pax Augusta

• It was over two centuries (approximately 206 years) in which there was minimal war and little expansion of the empire

• It lasted from around 26 BCE to 180 CE

• Augustus used propaganda to sell the idea of the Pax Romana to the Romans• The idea being that peace would provide prosperity for all

Economic Impact of the Pax Romana

• Established a uniform system of money—which helped expand trade

• Protection for travelers and traders on Roman roads

Social Impact of the Pax Romana

• Stability returned to social classes and civil wars ended

• Promoted an increased emphasis on the family• Which was aided by the lessening of

military involvement

Political Impact of the Pax Romana

• A civil service system was established

• A uniform rule of law was established

Contributions of Ancient Rome

What are the notable contributions left-behind from ancient Rome?

Roman Culture

• The Roman’s embraced, adopted, and blended many aspects of classical Greece into their own distinct culture

• As the Roman Empire expanded so did their culture• Through conquest Roman culture

and technology dominated Europe

Architecture: The Pantheon• The Pantheon was a dome

structure built to honor the Roman deities• What the Greeks did for the column,

Rome did for the dome

• At the top of the Pantheon was an open eye—to let in sunlight (remember no electricity!)

• The Pantheon was also built of cement—something the Romans were the first to use

Architecture: The Coliseum• The Coliseum was a center for

entertainment (gladiators, Christian sacrifices, mazes, naval battles, etc.)

• It was also constructed to serve as a stone amphitheater so the masses (all 50,000) could hear

• It took over a decade to build and even had public restrooms

Architecture: The Forum

• The Forum was essentially the Roman “downtown” district

• It was a public place that held debates, markets, orations, etc.

• It was comprised of a number of separate buildings

Technology: Aqueducts• Aqueducts were artificial channels for

carrying water

• They were constructed in the mountains and carried water using the natural downward trajectory to the city of Rome and it’s countryside• Carried water from as far as 60 miles away

• This allowed Rome to be the first major city with public water, restrooms, and baths

Technology: Roads

• The Romans built a network of stone roads that extended throughout Rome• Over 180,000 miles worth of

Roads

• This network of roads was known as The Appian Way

Technology: Arches

• Arches were used to hold large amounts of weight while using less materials

• This allowed the Roman’s to build their domes and aqueducts

Medicine

• Rome placed an emphasis on public health and as a result built public baths, water systems, and medical schools

Science and Mathematics

• Ptolemy was an influential Roman mathematician and astronomer• He predicted the movement and orbit of planets and

moons

Literature

• The Romans adopted epic Greek poems (such as Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey

• Their own great epic poem was The Aeneid written by the poet Virgil• Described the origins of Rome• Won favor with Augustus by stressing

Roman patriotism

Religion

• Originally based on the polytheism of Greek mythology but later converted to Christianity

• The Roman Empire spread Christianity throughout Europe and is the reason why Christianity is the largest religion in the world today

Language

• Latin was the language used in ancient Rome

• Latin became the basis of the Romantic languages