Thanks to his conquests, Julius Caesar considerably enlarged the Roman world. But such a large territory becomes fragile because it is difficult to control. Thus, the assassination of the dictator Caesar generates major instability and civil wars multiply.
AD 29-180
Characters
Octave Augustus
Marc-Aurèle
Trajan
Procedure
The adopted son of Julius Caesar, Octave, in turn seizes power and combines the highest functions. He pacifies the Roman world and in this regard, in -27 BC, he receives the title of "Augustus" hitherto reserved for the gods. He is the first emperor of the Roman world, which changes regime. To consolidate the Empire and maintain stability, Augustus imposes peace on the regions controlled by the Empire. It's the pax romana (the Roman peace). Indeed, there is no major upheaval between -29, the end of the civil wars, and the death of Emperor Marcus Aurelius in 180 AD
The pax romana reached its peak under Emperor Trajan (98-117). It relies on two essential assets:the army and its communication network. The Roman legions, numbering 400,000 men, were indeed responsible for maintaining order and did not hesitate to use force to establish security throughout the Empire. Soldiers are aided by infrastructure such as the limes (fortification which separates the Roman world from the barbarians) or the roads. Indeed, the annexed provinces are immediately connected to the Empire, allowing the transport of troops (the first built was via Appia). In addition, this peace also promotes communication with Rome, the development of culture and ideas, as well as economic growth. The exchanges are made by the Mediterranean and the rivers, as well as by the famous Roman roads which allow the access of the goods (via Ostiensis). The annexed provinces feed Rome (wheat from Egypt, oil from Greece, etc.), agricultural production increases, cities develop on the model of the capital.
Consequences
Thanks to the pax romana , the Roman world experienced a period of social, political, economic and cultural prosperity. This peace therefore allows the Empire to consolidate and further consolidate its hegemony around the Mediterranean.