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

2. What does Pax Romana mean?
Pax Romana is Latin for “Roman Peace”
Think of this as Rome’s “Golden Age”

3. 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

4. Economic Impact of the Pax Romana
Established a uniform system of money—which helped expand trade
Protection for travelers and traders on Roman roads

5. 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

6. Political Impact of the Pax Romana
A civil service system was established
A uniform rule of law was established

7. Contributions of Ancient Rome
What are the notable contributions left-behind from ancient Rome?

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

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

16. Science and Mathematics
Ptolemy was an influential Roman mathematician and astronomer
He predicted the movement and orbit of planets and moons

17. 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

18. 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

19. Language Latin was the language used in ancient Rome
Latin became the basis of the Romantic languages