“Pax Romana as a Time of Happiness”
In my essay about the age of Pax Romana I will describe some of the major characteristics and improvements this period contributed on and its importance for Western Civilization.
This period of time known also as “peace of Rome” could be characterized by the widespread export of Roman culture, government, and law from the reign of Caesar Augustus in 27 B.C until its collapse in 180 A.D. For Romans it was a time of unity, peace, and national stability that covered more than 200 years and brought many changes to the Roman Empire. The numerous landmarks as temples, baths, coliseums and public markets were built at the beginning of an extensive building project. Some of the greatest buildings including the Pantheon and the Colloseum in Rome are still present as well as a
massive system of aqueducts. The Romans also actively built up large urban centers throughout the Empire and granted these cities all the rights and privileges granted originally only to free – born citizens. These cities were ruled by the upper classes that, as a result, grew increasingly loyal to the emperor. At the same time, Rome began to control over these cities; unlike earlier empires that were more or less loose confederacies, the Roman Empire was converted into what became a single state under the centralized control of a Roman bureaucracy. Romans also derived a currency made of metal coins, which aided in their trade together with the huge investment into a road – building.
The entertainment became more active part of Roman citizens – public areas such as temples, baths, bars and circuses were usually crowded and popular. The far most popular activity in Rome was to see races and gladiatorial contests. Romans with an exception of some emperors during this period did not necessarily look for blood more than for a victory of an individual. The crowd and the emperor usually expressed their opinion of a game. For this reason Romans did not enjoy Christians in arena very much because the Christians usually preferred to sacrifice their lives instead of a cruel fight.
Even though the Pax Romana was a time of prosperity for the Romans, they also had to face some problems. Taxation became a huge problem because of the increase of soldiers needed for protection of the whole empire. In addition, the value of the metal coins slowly lost its original value. This decrease of the value of the currency led to inflation.
The age of Pax Romana, which I found one of the most culturally interesting periods in human history, came to its collapse in 180 AD when Commodus succeeded his father,
Marcus Aurelius, as emperor. Within a few years this not very powerful emperor managed to undo over a century of stable political rule and cultural stability and the peaceful Roman Empire lost its shining glory.