By Ray DiLorenzo
The Pax Romana (in Latin), or, in English, The Roman Peace, was a 200-year period of relative peace, cultural development, and stability in Ancient Rome. Depending on who you ask, it lasted from Augustus Caesar, from about 27 BC, to the death of Marcus Aurelius, approximately 180 AD.
The Pax Romana followed a prolonged period of civil conflict in Rome, during which Romans fought each other relentlessly. It was always about power, not the empire. Sound familiar?
After the assassination of his adopted father, Julius Caesar, Augustus ascended to the throne. He was an administrative genius. His aptitude for reorganization transformed a decaying republic into a world power. He set out to stabilize Rome, where all enemies would think hard about threatening its security, by implementing reforms that strengthened the military and established a more effective governance structure.
What most historians will not tell you is that the Pax Romana had much to do with the emergence of Christianity.
Augustus purged Rome of enemies, both foreign and domestic. He revived Ancient Rome’s political, economic, and military might during his reign. Augustus introduced military pensions from the public treasury rather than from the generals, ensuring that soldiers received their pensions and remained loyal to the state, reducing the power of individual generals.
Augustus did not care to rule over the entire world. He knew when and where to stop. Augustus adjusted military and political policies around specific strategic objectives that took time to prosper, such as consolidating power in the provinces and establishing peace, which ultimately contributed to the stability of the Roman Empire.
These provinces were allowed to continue their local customs and religions as long as they didn’t violate Roman law and security. So-called “client kings” were permitted to rule on local matters. Herod the Great is an example of such a client king.
It was a time of enormous development, with monumental structures like the Colosseum in Rome and Hadrian’s Wall in Britain. Rome, like China, upheld the principle of troop-guarded boundaries.
Rome built magnificent public structures and works. Roads crisscrossed the empire, building over 50,000 miles of new roads, facilitating trade, military movement, and communication.
Hospitals improved significantly only in the early 20th century, largely due to the lack of advanced medical knowledge and technology that would not emerge until then. But there were many sewers, public latrines, and baths. Disease was still widespread, but better than almost anywhere, particularly due to the advanced sanitation practices and public health measures implemented by the Romans. They believed in hospitals that provided sanitation, fresh air, and sunlight.
Fresh water flowed through Roman aqueducts, which are bridge-like structures designed to transport a steady stream of clean water to its cities. Some are still in use today.
The political stability that Augustus created allowed long-distance trade to greatly expand. Sea commerce thrived as Augustus rid the Mediterranean trade routes of pirates. Trajan (98-117) built harbors and bridges, which further spurred trade. Romans were able to purchase silks, gems, and any number of items as far away as India and China.
I see a sort of Pax Americana developing right here at home. President Trump would call it a golden age.
Trump is rebuilding America. He is rescuing America from the doldrums of a faltering economy, inflation, a man-made pandemic, a corrupt bureaucracy, an opposing political party, a military previously burdened by an incompetent command structure, and social experiments, such as requiring soldiers to wear high heels to gain an understanding of concepts I haven’t a clue about.
Our military is no longer a progressive source of amusement for other nations. We no longer put flowery words behind what we know to be true of our military. They kill people and break things.
Trump is ridding America of its pirates, blowing up boats carrying drugs that kill over 100,000 people a year. Somali pirates have been warned that authorization has been given to the War Department to give them the same treatment as drug boat traffickers, which includes the use of military force to eliminate their operations and prevent them from harming innocent lives.
President Trump is neutralizing longtime enemies… Iran, Cuba, Venezuela, drug cartels, their various proxies, and keeping Russia and China at bay. If we’re successful, they will become allies, benefitting themselves and America. Trump will make them come to realize there is no future in terrorist bombing or attacking US warships. Peace in the Middle East will certainly be a major accomplishment. While the world may never achieve perfect peace, Trump perceives nations that defy the status quo as unprofitable.
Our economy is being rebuilt from the ground up. Countries wanting access to the greatest market in the world must pay. They are no longer allowed to take advantage of our good nature while not giving us reasonable access to their markets. Countries must now engage in fair trade practices and provide reciprocal market access to ensure a balanced economic relationship.
Trump is achieving his goals through strategic objectives, such as implementing tariffs and negotiating trade agreements that prioritize American interests. He is gradually ridding our country of imbedded enemies like drug cartels, spies, corrupt officials, illegal aliens (especially the hardened criminals), and planted terrorists. It will take time to blossom, but Democrats will likely oppose, antagonize, and try to cease any progress toward balanced trade agreements and making ‘war’ on bad actors. Not because it is wrong, but because it is Donald Trump leading the charge.
To Democrats, governing is never about economic, social, or military security. It is always only about power, who has it, and who wants it, much like the old Rome before the Pax Romana.
A strong America is beneficial not only for itself but also for the world. It will not be without its sacrifices.
We’ll let the Democrats stew. Trump will move ahead and make history… Pax Americana!
