Understanding the Pax Romana in the Roman Empire
About This Worksheet
This worksheet explores different interpretations of the Pax Romana, encouraging students to compare historian views and evaluate their reliability.
Worksheet Preview
Full preview • 6 questions
Understanding the Pax Romana in the Roman Empire
Untitled Worksheet
Interpretations of the Pax Romana
Historian A: Mary Beard – Economic Perspective "Mary Beard argues that the Pax Romana was primarily an economic phenomenon. She emphasizes the stability it brought to trade routes, the growth of cities, and increased wealth across the Empire. Beard suggests that this period allowed for economic expansion, which benefited both the wealthy elite and the common people, creating a more prosperous society. She points to archaeological evidence of trade and infrastructure projects as support for her view. Overall, she sees the Pax Romana as a time of economic growth that underpinned Roman stability."
Historian B: Edward Gibbon – Social Perspective "Edward Gibbon contends that the Pax Romana was more about social stability and order than economic factors. He highlights the peace that allowed for cultural exchange, the spread of Roman law, and the integration of diverse peoples within the Empire. Gibbon argues that the period fostered a sense of unity and cultural identity, which helped maintain the Empire’s cohesion. He points to the spread of Roman citizenship and legal systems as evidence of social harmony. For Gibbon, the social cohesion was the key feature of Pax Romana."
Quick Actions
What is Remix?
Create a new worksheet based on this one. Change the grade level, topic, number of questions, or difficulty - then generate a fresh version.
- • Change grade level (Grade 6 → Grade 7)
- • Swap topics (Harry Potter → Macbeth)
- • Add more questions (10 → 15)
- • Adjust difficulty
Details
- Created
- 1/1/2026
- Updated
- 1/1/2026
- Type
- worksheet