Final answer:
Rome assimilated conquered peoples during the Pax Romana by integrating local elites, promoting the Latin language and Roman citizenship, establishing infrastructure such as roads and baths, and encouraging cultural assimilation through urban planning and religion. This multifaceted approach included military, cultural, and social strategies that transformed conquered peoples into Roman citizens over generations.
Step-by-step explanation:
During the Pax Romana, Rome assimilated conquered peoples through a multifaceted strategy that included military, cultural, and social aspects. After suppressing initial resistance with force, Rome integrated local elites into the administration and encouraged the learning of Latin.
Sons of ambitious locals often joined the Roman army and could return with wealth and land, changing their status. Rome's infrastructure projects such as aqueducts, public baths, and especially roads normalized Roman amenities in conquered territories. Urban planning featuring cities with grids and public forums further established Roman culture.
Roman polytheism enabled the absorption of conquered peoples' gods, easing religious tensions. The granting of Roman citizenship after twenty-five years of military service and the designation of indigenous cities that adopted Roman political systems as municipia promoted Romanization. Moreover, Rome's policies allowed assimilated peoples, particularly loyal allies and their elites, to share in the wealth of military victories and play a role in politics, provided they remained loyal to Rome.
Roman strategies of 'divide and conquer', establishing colonies for defense, and transforming enemies into allies, underpinned their successful expansion. This expansion was paired with cultural assimilation, where the descendants of conquered peoples, like the Celts, came to identify strongly with Roman civilization over time.