Final answer:
The period of peace and stability during the Roman Empire, which started with Emperor Augustus and lasted over 200 years, is known as the Pax Romana. It facilitated economic prosperity, cultural exchange, and featured significant infrastructural and constitutional reforms that maintained stability within the Empire.
Step-by-step explanation:
Pax Romana: The Era of Roman Peace
The era of peace and stability that began with Augustus and prevailed throughout the Roman Empire for more than 200 years is called the Pax Romana. This period, starting around 27 BCE with the rise of the first Roman Emperor, Augustus, marked the height of Roman power and facilitated extensive Romanization, with the Empire reaching its maximum territorial extent under Emperor Trajan. The Pax Romana allowed for safe travel and trade over well-maintained roads spanning from the Iberian Peninsula to the Near East, contributing to economic prosperity and cultural exchange within the Empire.
During the Pax Romana, Augustus implemented constitutional reforms that balanced the illusion of a Republican government with his autocratic rule. This period was characterized by internal stability, a common trade language, and an efficient network of roads. Despite the tranquility and growth, it should be noted that the peace was relative and did not completely halt military campaigns or civil unrest, especially at the frontiers of the Empire.
The Pax Romana endured until the death of Marcus Aurelius in 180 CE, marking a significant phase in the Roman Empire's history where peace coincided with prosperity and immense influence over a vast area of the known world.