How often do you reflect on the Roman Empire? If you happen to be the engaging British historian Tom Holland, or a listener of “The Rest is History,” the podcast he’s co-hosted with Dominic Sandbrook, you likely think about it quite a bit.
Holland’s latest work, titled PAX: War and Peace in Rome’s Golden Age, is the third installment in his series on Ancient Rome. This book is particularly accessible as it centers on the Pax Romana, a time marked by peace, prosperity, and significant events such as the destruction of Pompeii and the building of the Colosseum.
PAX is designed to be a standalone read, but it follows two previous histories. The first, Rubicon, chronicles the life of Julius Caesar and his era; the second, Dynasty, explores Augustus, Rome’s first emperor, and the lineage of rulers claiming descent from him. PAX begins at a pivotal point in history: the suicide of Nero in AD 68, the last male descendant of Augustus. His death marked the end of Rome’s first dynasty of autocrats. What would follow? The pursuit of this answer ended a long period of civil peace. In AD 69, four different men took turns as emperor, leading to chaos as soldiers fought in the streets of Rome, culminating in the burning of the city’s grandest temple. The tumultuous year of the four emperors reminded Romans that their glory and prosperity could be undermined by the very trait that had initially secured their empire: their talent for violence. The legions’ capacity for brutal force was a crucial factor in establishing the Pax Romana. Thus, even in discussing the longest sustained peace period in the Mediterranean’s history, it’s essential to acknowledge the backdrop of war.
Pax: War and Peace in Rome’s Golden Age
As part of the promotional efforts for his book, Holland and Sandbrook have recorded two insightful podcasts featuring excerpts from PAX. Be sure to listen:
You can also listen to Holland reading the introduction of PAX here:
PAX can be purchased on Amazon and through independent retailers via Bookshop. Consider pairing it with Mary Beard’s SPQR and Twelve Caesars, or explore The Atlas of Ancient Rome.
