Encore Post: After the defeat of Marc Anthony and Cleopatra, Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus, great nephew and adopted son of Julius Caesar, had gained sole control of the Roman Republic. With a combination of political skill and military power, he unified a badly divided empire. Having the Roman Republic declare him first citizen and give him the title Augustus, the Son of God (meaning Julius Caesar), he gained absolute power with the trappings of the Republic. This political unity would more or less hold for two hundred years. Successfully pushing warfare to the edges of the Empire, Augustus established the Pax Romana — the Peace of Rome.
This peace was a great blessing in the Mediterranean world. Travel was free of political barriers. A network of durable roads was constructed from Rome to the edges of the empire. Many of these are still in use today. Roman culture gave status to rulers and rich people who constructed public buildings, works like aqueducts, baths, theatres and temples, resulting in a sustained construction boom. A unified currency made trade relatively easy to conduct.
Rome was justly proud of its unified legal code, which, except for the highest levels of society, was stable and, for the most part, objectively enforced. Being a practical people, Romans adopted and adapted Greek culture and language. Where possible, Rome preferred to allow local nations to rule themselves, as long as they paid their taxes, were politically loyal, raised troops when needed and bowed to Roman law when it conflicted with their traditions.
God prepared the way for his son by establishing this common government. It allowed the apostles to fan out quickly across the whole of the Mediterranean World with the Gospel. It protected St. Paul in Jerusalem and allowed his appeal to the Emperor. The census of Caesar Augustus brought the holy family to Bethlehem. It assured the fulfillment of prophecy by sending the true Son of God to the cross rather than to death by stoning. It placed objective guards at his tomb to witness to his resurrection.
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This is most certainly true, in that the Gospel was more readily-transportable without so many of the boundaries that were shattered by Rome.
However it is also to be noted that “Pax Romana” also meant brutal subjugation of people who were deemed “defiant” to the edicts of Rome. And there was always that element of nationalism and individualism that would have shed themselves of Roman rule at any cost. (There is, of course, an applicable element of this in the kingdom of God.)
That said, aren’t you thankful that God the Father does not “push religion” on you, or forcefully “make” you His? His invitation is open to anybody, and you are free to come (or go?). But regardless, it is given to you to come into His presence! How many people seek for God — like He’s lost?
I know I’m over-simplifying here, but Pax Romana had its disadvantages, as well. But it can be argued that it truly was one of the most peaceful two centuries on planet Earth — even if it was forced.
Actually, it’s over complicating. This is a blog post, not a book. It is one of a series to show how God made the way for Christ.