Module 5 Key Terms: Pax Romana Or Roman Peace

Module 5 Key Terms

Pax Romana

The Pax Romana or Roman peace was a period in which the Roman empire experienced unprecedented peace and prosperity. This time period lasted around two hundred years, beginning with the reign of Augustus and ending with the reign of Marcus Aurelius. Many great works and achievements were accomplished during the Pax Romana. For instance, thousands of miles of roads were built and as a result trade thrived. Furthermore, aqueducts were built to bring fresh water to a slew of people. Moreover, new cities were established and the old cities grew wealthier. In addition, the conditions for women and slaves vastly improved. Although, heavily influenced by the Greeks, Roman culture, law, literature, philosophy and knowledge also emerged and flourished during this time.

Diocletian

Diocletian was a Roman emperor that came into power during a difficult time. When Diocletian became emperor Rome was facing a decline in agricultural production, outbreaks of military anarchy, and threat of aggression from Persia. Diocletian’s solution to these problems was to strengthen and extend the power of Rome’s central government and to increase taxes on his subjects. He also appointed a trusted general to govern over the western portion of the empire while he ruled the eastern portion. As a result, Rome was transformed into a much more

bureaucratic and militarized empire. Furthermore, Roman cities and territories also lost much of their autonomy.

Virgil

Virgil was arguably the greatest Roman poet. He is best known for the Aeneid, a literary epic that glorifies the Roman empire. Virgil was ordered by Augustus, the emperor at the time to craft an epic that would revere and praise the Roman empire and Augustus’s role in it and what resulted was the Aeneid. In the Aeneid Virgil extolls Roman values and virtues such as patriotism and commitment to family. Furthermore, he also assigns Rome the divine mission of bringing peace and civility to the world. Moreover, he concedes that the Greeks had better scholars, but argues that the Romans are better at governing.

Ptolemy (the astronomer born in 90 AD, not the King.)

Ptolemy was a renowned scholar, that lived during the Greco-Roman age. He was an astronomer, mathematician, and geographer. Ptolemy is best known for his thirteen volume work titled the Almagest. In the Almagest Ptolemy details and recounts his astronomical observations. Furthermore, Ptolemy is also known for theorizing that the earth was at the center of the universe and that the moon, sun, and all the other planets and celestial bodies revolved around it. Moreover, Ptolemy also made great contributions to the mathematical field of trigonometry.

Constantine
Constantine was the Roman emperor who took power after Diocletian.

Constantine was devoutly Christian and was the first Christian Roman emperor. Like Diocletian Constantine also came into power as Rome was facing many problems. Furthermore, Constantine also proposed and implemented many of the same solutions as Diocletian, such as strengthening the central government. Additionally Constantine furthered the division of the Roman empire into western and eastern portions by creating the imperial capital of Constantinople where Europe and Asia meet. Moreover, Constantine also regained Dacia and fought off Germanic

tribes.

Octavian/Augustus

Octavian, or Augustus as he would later become known was the first Roman emperor. Augustus replaced the Roman republic with a monarchy that ruled in partnership with the Roman senate. Although, Augustus possessed absolute and total power he was not a tyrant and magistrates were still elected. Furthermore, during Augustus’s reign Rome experienced peace and stability. For instance, Augustus implemented many social reforms and improvements such as repairing roads, corrected tax abuses, started a fire department and brought water to most Roman homes by building aqueducts.He also formed a standing army and lead a military campaign to expand the Roman empire. Additionally, he also made sure that war veterans would receive land in Italy or in the provinces as well as bonuses.