Pax Romana: War, Peace and Conquest in the Roman World

Abstract

The Pax Romana is famous for having provided a remarkable period of peace and stability, rarely seen before or since. Yet the Romans were first and foremost conquerors, imperialists who took by force a vast empire stretching from the Euphrates in the east to the Atlantic coast in the west. Their peace meant Roman victory and was brought about by strength and dominance rather than co-existence with neighbours. The Romans were aggressive and ruthless, and during the creation of their empire millions died or were enslaved. PART ONE. REPUBLIC -- I. The Rise of Rome -- Origins -- The Republic -- Overseas -- II. War -- Massacre -- Riches And Reputation -- The Drive To Empire -- Faith And Ruthlessness -- III. Friends and Rivals -- AMICI -- The Friends Of The Romans -- `All Gaul Is Divided Into Three Parts' -- Caesar's Intervention -- Allies And Enemies -- Resisting Rome -- IV. Traders and Settlers -- Civis Romanus Sum -- Romans Abroad -- Markets And Exchange -- Roman And Native -- V. `How much did you make?' -- Government -- Proconsuls -- Cilicia -- Making Money -- VI. Provincials and Kings -- `At Least They Think They Have Self-Government' -- Dealing With Rome -- Peace And Its Price -- PART TWO. PRINCIPATE -- VII. Emperors -- Power Without Limit -- Peace And War -- Limits -- VIII. Rebellion -- `Must Everyone Accept Servitude?' -- The Queen -- Taxes And Ill-Treatment -- Winning And Losing A Province -- A Stronger Sense Of Identity? -- IX. Resistance, Rioting and Robbery -- `Peaceful And Quiet' -- Kings And Bad Neighbours -- Murder, Plunder And Politics -- X. Imperial Governors -- `Firmness And Diligence' -- Bithynia And Pontus -- Waste, Corruption And Rivalries -- Evil Men -- XI. Life under Roman Rule -- `Civilization' And `Enslavement' -- Sheep And Shepherds, Romans And Natives -- Insiders And Outsiders -- XII. The Army and the Frontiers -- `a Great Circle Of Camps' -- The Other Side Of The Hill -- Attack And Defence -- XIII. Garrisons and Raids -- `clandestine Crossings' -- Garrisons, Forts And Walls -- The Anatomy Of A Raid -- Fear, Reputation And Dominance -- XIV. Beyond the Pax Romana -- Outside -- Trade And Treaties -- Civil War And Peace.