Review
“Goldsworthy brings a wonderful vitality to his subject. . . . The reader is treated to an enthralling view of a highly complex system of governance [in which] Goldsworthy gives statecraft its proper emphasis.”—Gerard DeGroot, Times (UK)
“The reign of Augustus—when the Romans learned to stop worrying and love the emperors—is the center of Adrian Goldsworthy’s powerful reassessment of Roman imperialism. Goldsworthy is well known for his books on the Roman army and on Roman warfare and is the author of vivid biographies of some of Rome’s greatest generals, so peace might seem a surprising topic for him. But Pax is not peace, or not quite peace as we know it. . . . The Roman peace was an unusual calm after the violence of prehistoric and classical societies. How calm it really was is difficult to say, but Pax Romana offers a measured answer for which we may be grateful.”—Greg Woolf, Wall Street Journal
“[Pax Romana] offers two cheers for imperialism, saluting the Romans for bringing peace and stability to the Mediterranean basin on a scale and duration not seen before or since. . . . Two lessons for today stand out in the book: First, it is hard to make and keep a peace. Second, the greatest threat to the Pax Romana came not from foreigners but from the internal power struggles of the Romans themselves.”—Thomas Ricks, New York Times Book Review
“Goldsworthy explores this epoch lucidly. . . . He shows how those long-ago warriors and politicians wound taut the strings that continue to vibrate in our national life.”—Richard Snow, Wall Street Journal, “What to Give: History Books”
“Engaging and consistently informative.”—Lawrence D. Freedman, Foreign Affairs
“Entirely compelling. . . . An engrossing account of how the Roman Empire grew and operated.”—Kirkus Reviews
“Monumental and highly engaging. . . . While his prose is clear and measured, Goldsworthy’s argument is pleasingly impassioned. . . . Goldsworthy’s achievement is to show that the alternative to Roman peace was often either unappealing or long forgotten. He has set Pax Romana in its proper context.”—Daisy Dunn, New Criterion
“Pax Romana examines a famous, yet little understood, time, and is an excellent read for anyone interested in ancient history.”—Diana Biller, B&N Reads
“A nuanced portrait [and] a fascinating work. . . . Readers interested in Roman history will find it remarkable.”—Tobias Mutter, Shelf Awareness for Readers (starred review)
“Highly informative [and] a fun read. . . . Pax Romana is a guide to how the Romans preserved their empire for many centuries. It is a must-read for those interested in history and strategy.”—Tom Rogan, Washington Free Beacon
“By the end of this book . . . one has a clear idea of how Rome’s empire worked. There is no attempt to whitewash Rome into a benevolent and altruistic overlord. But the Romans were above all pragmatists. . . . So the Pax Romana strove for peace, content and prosperity, and succeeded to a remarkable degree. Not because of modern notions of morality, not out of philanthropy, but because it was the most efficient way to run an empire.”—Philip Matyszak, UNRV Roman Empire
“Concise yet filled with detail, Goldworthy’s study is a definitive work on the reality of the Pax Romana. He has written a book of sound scholarship that should appeal to readers interested in classical European and Roman history, as well as Jewish history and the history of early Christianity.”—Kevin Bezner, Christian Review
“An easily digestible survey of Rome’s empire that adds important context to a complex phenomenon.”—David Kite, Terre Haute Tribune Star
“An excellent book. . . . Goldsworthy’s account of the origins of the peace is first-rate. . . . Goldsworthy’s text is clear and concise, the subject matter well organized. . . . The fine maps are presented in context within the relevant passages rather than shoved to the back of the book. Students of Roman history will find Pax Romana especially valuable.”—Richard A. Gabriel, Military History
“A work entitled Pax Romana may suggest that the pre-eminent military historian of Rome, Adrian Goldsworthy, has gone soft. He has not. There is a great deal here about war and conquest. . . . Yet this study offers far more than straight military history. . . . Goldsworthy makes excellent use of anything from the Gospels to inscriptions and other archaeological remains in order to illustrate his claims. . . . A fine [book], elegantly written.”—Matthew Leigh, History Today
“Goldsworthy begins with the founding of Rome and continues for the next thousand or so years, up to the fall off the empire in the West and beyond. . . . A useful book and an easy read. . . . Highly recommended.”—Choice
“Graceful in prose, learned in lore, as comfortable with archaeological as with literary witness, and a master of anecdote and historical comparison, Goldsworthy points his reader to many instances where Roman rule succeeded by powerful protection, upright justice, and intermingled economic interest.”—J. E. Lendon, Weekly Standard
“The book succeeds admirably at its goal of communicating the complexities of Roman imperial history with great clarity and insight. Pax Romana is a well-crafted piece of historical writing that will certainly enlighten a wide audience.”—Michael J. Taylor, Bryn Mawr Classical Review
From the Author
Why this book?
Peace is always a rare and precious thing and this makes the “Roman Peace” all the more remarkable, and I wanted to understand how it came about. I wanted also to understand what the Roman Empire meant to the people who lived in it. What was it like for the other peoples in the ancient world who found themselves living next to the Roman Empire, or were incorporated into it, whether by force or choice? It is simplistic to demonize empires—just as it once was to celebrate them uncritically—and there is a danger of turning conquered peoples into passive and virtuous victims of imperialist aggression. The truth is more complicated, and looking at Roman power from the viewpoint of Romans and outsiders provides many relevant insights to our own world.
But wasn’t "Pax Romana" the peace imposed by the victors, whose conceit was that they were bringing civilization to barbarians?
The Romans fought a lot of wars, and never granted other peoples equal status. Other kingdoms and states were either allies or real or potential enemies. Peace made Rome and its allies safe. Only once they were well on their way to establishing a large and permanent empire did the Romans begin to talk of a duty to bring peace, order, and the rule of law to a wider world. This was not achieved solely or even primarily by force. People wanted to be Roman. Peace became a reality, even if imperfect.
Praise for Caesar:
"This book makes and insightfully explains the leap from Caesar the soldier and general to Caesar the statesman and nation builder. It's better than any book I've ever read on him, and more incisive."—Wall Street Journal
"An authoritative and exciting portrait not only of Caesar but of the complex society in which he lived."—Steven Coates, New York Times Book Review
About the Author
Adrian Goldsworthy is the author of numerous acclaimed books, including biographies of Julius Caesar and Augustus. He lectures widely and consults on historical documentaries for the History Channel, National Geographic, and the BBC. He lives in the UK.
