Pax: War and Peace in Rome's Golden Age

Pax: War and Peace in Rome's Golden Age is a narrative history of Rome during the height of its power. The Pax Romana, stretching from Caledonia to Arabia, saw Rome rule over a quarter of the world's population as the wealthiest and most formidable state in human history. Tom Holland traces Rome's golden age through major events and figures, including Nero's downfall, the destruction of Jerusalem and Pompeii, the construction of the Colosseum and Hadrian's Wall, and the conquests of Trajan. The book portrays the lives of Romans across all social ranks, from slaves to emperors, revealing the empire in all its complexity. Holland demonstrates that Roman peace was built on unprecedented military violence, offering a portrait of Rome's glory days during this transformative period.