The Pax Romana Podcast

Caracalla rewarded his soldiers, and scored all other men--as his father Septimius Severus advised him. He stole property, murdered elites, put in new inheritance taxes and debased the Roman coinage. The temporary windfall allowed him to pass out a huge salary increase to his soldiers, but the long term effects of these policies would be greater economic pain in the future. Caracalla then stunned...

Septimius Severus, aiming for stability, made his sons Caracalla and Geta (of Gladiator II fame) co-emperors, which only fueled their rivalry. His last years were then spent campaigning in Britain, where harsh conditions and guerrilla warfare halted Roman advances. Then in AD 211, in the city of Eboracum (modern York, England), Septimius died. With his father out of the way, Septimius' older son C...

Perpetua, a Christian martyr in the early 3rd century AD Roman Empire, left behind a rare firsthand account that provides profound insights into the personal experiences of early Christian martyrdom. Her diary, which details her imprisonment and thoughts up to her execution, offers a unique perspective on the spiritual strength, societal defiance, and the internal conflict faced by individuals liv...

How did early Christian apologists defend their faith against Roman skepticism and hostility? These were no ordinary defenders; they included philosophers like Justin Martyr and Tertullian, who used Roman law and logic to argue for Christianity's legitimacy. From debunking the worship of Roman gods as illogical and immoral, to explaining Christian rituals like baptism and the Lord's Supper, these...

On this episode, we examine the religious logic prevalent in the Roman Empire. It may be surprising to learn that belief was far less important to Romans than practice. Christianity turned the order of Roman religion on its head. As a result, Christians were accused of atheism, sedition, immorality, superstition and religious novelty.

How did early Christians negotiate their identity in a polytheistic society? Cultural norms around pluralism, sex and military service presented serious challenges to Christians. Many self-identified Christians sough to merge mainstream culture with their faith.

Christianity adapted, spread, and solidified its identity in the second century AD. What was everyday life like for those who called themselves Christians in this pivotal ancient age? How strict was membership in the early church? To what extent were soldiers permitted? Donate: https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/WZTWCMWCJJYFC⁠ ⁠YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ProfCPE⁠ Buy Professor Ellio...

Septimius Severus entered Rome in AD 197 as undisputed emperor, following several years of bloody civil war. He stationed a full legion near Rome to ensure that no one could do what he had done: conquer his own empire. Septimius was a friend to his soldiers, debasing his own currency to increase soldier soldiers pay. He then turned back to what he knew best: conquest--launching a campaign against...

In the Year of the Five Emperors, Septimius Severus, a governor from Pannonia, maneuvered to become unquestioned emperor amidst several capable rivals. He first allied with Clodius Albinus in the west, naming him Caesar and heir, while eliminating a second rival, Pescennius Niger, in the east. Albinus would subsequently invade Gaul--bringing his forces into a massive battle at Lugdunum. Were these...

After the assassination of Commodus, Pertinax, an experienced governor and military officer, steped up to take the purple. He was a fiscal conservative and a disciplinarian. But the Roman Empire had fundamentally changed, and his own praetorian guard soon removed him from office. he empire bizarrely veered towards an auction-like scenario, where two men vie for power through financial promises to...

Following the an epidemic and engineered riot in the capital in A.D. 190, Commodus emerged as a self-proclaimed god and gladiator, reshaping Rome in his image. He renamed cities, months, and even the Senate after himself, declaring his invincibility and divine status. His rule became a spectacle of cruelty and farce, culminating in a plot by his inner circle, leading to his assassination. Today, w...

Commodus, son of Marcus Aurelius, faced serious plots against his life. So he isolated himself from senators and other advisors, frittered away his time getting drunk and racing horses and left Rome under the care of ambitious, ruthless and corrupt men. Eventually, an apparent conspiracy of elites took power back by engineering a riot in the capital city. The soldiers responsible for keeping the p...

Commodus was "born to the purple," inheriting the throne from his father, Marcus Aurelius. The young emperor had much that suggested his reign would be successful: excellent advisors and tutors, charming looks and an inscrutable pedigree in the line of Rome's greatest emperors. As this episode shows, his initial years bore out these high expectations, but strangely, his relationships...

Marcus Aurelius was not just an eye-witness to the Pax Roman's end, but he was a crucial player in the drama as it unfolded. We are fortunate to have a unique insight into Marcus' mind in his Meditations --a collection of private notes to himself that somehow survived the ravages of time. Unfortunately for Marcus, he died shortly after writing them; as did Rome's Golden Age.

This episode explores the tumultuous period of Marcus Aurelius's reign between AD 175-178. Marcus had to deal with a rebellion in Egypt and widespread brigandage in the eastern empire. There may have also been a serious sickness in his family--threatening the entire dynasty. But was it covered up?

Marcus Aurelius, now sole emperor after the death of his brother Lucius Verus, faced the Germanic tribes migrating (if not invading) Rome's northern border. The Marcomannic War was the first stage of a centuries-long struggle against invaders. This episode explores the challenges, strategies, and the sheer will of Rome to defend its northern frontier.

The Antonine plague--the world's first pandemic--did not find the Roman Empire at its strongest. In fact, climate change was affecting some key regions of the Roman Empire decades prior to the Pax Romana's end. The food supply of the empire was in jeopardy, weakening the population and encouraging migration into already crowded Roman cities. What went wrong and why?

In the mid AD 160s, it looked like Rome was winning. The war in Parthia was going well. The two emperors, Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus, were well supported. But then a sudden and mysterious disease ripped across the Empire and into Italy. The outbreak was one of several jarring events that shook the Roman world.

As far as we know, Marcus Aurelius grew up in a period of general peace and tranquility. But so did his adoptive brother, Lucius Verus. When the emperor Antoninus Pius died, both men--Marcus and Lucius--had claims to the empire. But could Rome really function with two emperors? The Roman Senate thought Marcus alone should rule. Adding to the awkwardness of the transition, the Parthian empire attac...

Antoninus Pius was apparently a great emperor, but we know very little details about his reign. Instead, he is remembered as the emperor who prepared the way for his successor, Marcus Aurelius--one of the most famous emperors in all of Roman history. But Hadrian had put in place two successors, not one, for Antonine Pius. How did Antoninus balance his obvious preferences for Marcus Aurelius while...

Antoninus Pius (138-161 AD) ruled peacefully, leaving a lesser-known legacy. What can we know about this often neglected emperor? His coins illuminate some of the story. Gold coins showcase his loyalty: to the Senate, to Hadrian, and to his wife Faustina. Silver coins highlight his concern for the people's well-being, especially the grain supply.

Was the Roman military the well-oiled machine portrayed in many films and works of historical fiction? Today we conclude this short series on the Roman military by looking at discipline. We’ll explore soldiers’ training regimen, from physical conditioning to mock battles. Roman soldiers took strict oaths, endured harsh punishments and sometimes won valuable rewards. But there are plenty of sources...

Why was the Roman military so powerful? How did its structure work? What men joined up and what did they actually do with their time? Twenty-five years was a long time to serve. Interestingly, the Roman military offered credible opportunities to advance in Roman society. And for non-Romans, military service could get them on the path to becoming citizens themselves.

Here is the first of several episodes on the Roman military. How did the military fuel expansion, secure borders and bolster the emperor's power? How large was the military and what did it cost? What role did soldiers play in both receiving imperial ideology, as well as advancing it?

The Pax Romana may have thrived, but much of its prosperity was born on the backs of million. On this episode, we look at a darker side of the Pax Romana, and the institution of Roman slavery. How did it function--from the brutal realities of capture and sale--to the opportunities for freedom? Roman slavery was of questionable economic benefit, so why did Romans keep this institution around for so...