Download The Pax Romana (31 B.C.

Chapter 6
The Pax Romana,
31b.c.–a.d. 450
Augustus as Imperator
Here Augustus, dressed in breastplate
and uniform, emphasizes the imperial
majesty of Rome and his role as
imperator. The figures on his
breastplate represent the restoration
of peace, one of Augustus’s greatest
accomplishments and certainly one
that he frequently stressed.
Erich Lessing/Art Resource, NY
Boscoreale Cup
The central scene lavishly depicted on the side of a silver cup shows Augustus seated
in majesty. In his right hand he holds an orb that represents his position as master of
the world. The scroll in his left hand symbolizes his authority as lawgiver. On his right
is a group of divinities who support his efforts, on his left a group of barbarians who
have submitted to Rome.
© Musée du Louvre
Roman Expansion Under the Empire
Following Roman expansion during the republic, Augustus added vast tracts of Europe
to the Roman Empire, which the emperor Hadrian later enlarged by assuming control
over parts of central Europe, the Near East, and North Africa.
The Emperor Marcus Aurelius
This equestrian statue, with the
emperor greeting his people,
represents both the majesty and the
peaceful intentions of this emperor
and philosopher— one of the five
good emperors. Equestrian statues
present an image of idealized
masculinity, but most portray their
subjects as fierce and warlike, not
with a hand raised in peace as Marcus
Aurelius’s hand is here.
Tibor Bognar/Alamy
Roman Britain
Though the modern state of Great
Britain plays a major role in international
affairs, it was a peripheral part of the
Roman Empire, a valuable area but
nonetheless definitely on the frontier.
The Coliseum
This splendid building was the site of some of Rome’s bloodiest games. In it
thousands of spectators viewed gladiatorial games between men, sometimes
women, and animals. Yet it stands as a monument to the Roman sense of beauty
and architectural skill.
Scala/Art Resource, NY
Idealized statue of a Roman
soldier.
Idealized statue of a Roman soldier.
Deutsches Archaeologisches Institut, Rome
Gladiatorial Games
Though hardly games, the contests were vastly popular among the Romans.
Gladiators were usually slaves, but successful ones could gain their freedom. The
fighting was hard but fair, and the gladiators shown here look equally matched.
Interphoto Press
Ground Plan of the Roman Villa at Chedworth
Ground Plan of the Roman Villa at Chedworth
From R. Goodburn, The Roman Villa, Chedworth. Reproduced with permission.
Archaeological Reconstruction of the Villa
Archaeological Reconstruction of the Villa
Courtesy, Professor Albert Schachter
Aerial View of Chedworth
Aerial View of Chedworth
Courtesy of West Air Photography
A View of the Site Today
A View of the Site Today
John Buckler
Arch of Constantine
Though standing in stately surroundings, Constantine’s arch is decorated with art
plundered from the arches of Trajan and Marcus Aurelius. He robbed them rather
than decorate his own with the inferior work of his own day.
Michael Reed, photographer/ www.mike-reed.com
Martyrion at Aphrodisias
This trefoil building in Asia Minor is probably the remains of a martyrion, or
martyrium, a church dedicated to a martyr. Martyrs were people killed for their belief
in Jesus’ divinity. There were not as many martyrs as Christians claimed, but the
Christians considered them all heroes. This church probably honors a martyr now
unidentified.
M. Ali Dogenci, Turkey
Provocatio, the right of appeal, was considered a fundamental
element of Roman citizenship.
Provocatio, the right of appeal, was considered a fundamental element of Roman
citizenship.
Courtesy of the Trustees of the British Museum