The Pax Romana

To belabor a point now well recognized in the study of ancient Rome: the pax of the pax Romana was at the very least more complex than the panegyrical remarks of Virgil, Velleius, and others would suggest. Indeed, seen from the perspective of the dominated the pax Romana may well be rendered best—if in somewhat of an extended form—as the pacification of other peoples by Rome. As even Tacitus was able to see, the peace of Rome was in reality little more than ruthless domination for those on its underside.—World Upside Down, page 107

<idle musing>
Hmmm...sounds way too much like the pax Americana, doesn't it? And like the pax Britannica of the 19th century and any other pax other than the pax Dei.

Maybe that's why the prophet wailed, "Peace, peace, but there is no peace!"
</idle musing>