The Pax Romana, a revered golden age, saw the Roman Empire at its peak, stretching from Scotland to Arabia and containing a quarter of humanity. Starting in 69 AD with four Caesars in quick succession and ending with Hadrian’s death seven decades later, Pax offers a dazzling history of Rome's power. Historian Tom Holland vividly recounts key events like the destruction of Jerusalem and Pompeii, the building of the Colosseum, and Trajan's conquests, illustrating how Roman peace came from unprecedented military might.