Roman Empire: Pax Romana Era

Roman Empire and Pax Romana

• The Roman Empire enjoyed a period of internal peace and prosperity known as Pax Romana, during the rule of Augustus to the Five Good Emperors (Nerva, Trajan, Hadrian, Antoninus Pius, Marcus Aurelius).
• These emperors were known for their tolerance, diplomacy, and support for beneficial domestic policies, such as providing scholarships to poor students and jobs through public works.

Roman Legacy

• The Roman Empire left a lasting legacy, including Roman law, which includes the principle that a person is innocent until proven guilty and the right to defend oneself in court.
• Roman art is characterized by intense realism and curvilinear forms, featuring arches, vaults, and domes.
• Roman literature includes the story of Aeneid.

Empires in South Asia

• The Mauryan Empire (321-185 BCE) was the first empire in India, established by Chandragupta Maurya, and had an effective government, well-organized bureaucracy, and state-owned factories and shipyards.
• The Mauryan Empire was replaced by the Kushan Empire (185 BCE-320 CE), which only ruled the northern part of India.
• The Gupta Empire (320-540 CE) was considered the Golden Age of India, characterized by economic prosperity, peace, and cultural developments.

Gupta Empire

• The Gupta Empire was established by Chandragupta I and was marked by economic prosperity, brought by the establishment of textile industries, merchant guilds, and the use of coins.
• This era saw cultural advancements, including the crystallization of Hinduism, the development of Indian literature, and the construction of magnificent stone temples and stupas.

Empires in East Asia, including the Qin, Han, Sui, and Tang dynasties in China, and the Yamato state in Japan, flourished during this period, marked by significant advancements in agriculture, taxation, and bureaucratic systems, as well as the spread of Buddhism and Confucianism.

• Various dynasties and empires rose and fell in East Asia, including the Qin, Han, and Tang dynasties in China, which saw significant advancements in iron production, the development of the Silk Road, and the construction of the Great Wall, as well as the spread of Buddhism and Confucianism.

Empires in Southwest Asia

• The Achaemenid or Persian Empire (550-350 BCE) was known for its tolerance of local customs and allowed conquered people to practice their own religion.
• The Parthian Empire (247 BCE-224 CE), Sassanid Empire (228 CE-651 CE), and Arab-Islamic Empire (600-1000 CE) also emerged in Southwest Asia.