Final answer:
The Pax Romana, initiated by Emperor Augustus, was a 200-year period marked by peace, advances in art and architecture, and significant urban development in Rome. Augustus centralized power while maintaining a republican facade and transformed Rome both physically and institutionally. His reign contributed to the glory and stability of the Roman Empire during this golden age.
Step-by-step explanation:
Emperor Augustus is renowned for initiating the Pax Romana, a prolonged period of peace that spanned approximately 200 years, from 27 BCE to around 180 CE during the height of the Roman Empire. This era is often characterized as a golden age of Roman society, marked by stability, prosperity, and extensive infrastructure such as roads and monuments.
The Pax Romana began under the rule of Augustus following the end of the civil wars that erupted after the assassination of Julius Caesar. Augustus implemented constitutional reforms that, while maintaining a facade of a republican system, actually centralized power in his hands, effectively making him the first Roman Emperor. The peace and stability he brought allowed for significant advances in art and architecture, integrating Greek and Etruscan styles and reflecting his propaganda, as seen in the statue of Augustus of Prima Porta.
During the Pax Romana, Rome underwent substantial urban development, including the construction of the Ara Pacis, the Flavian Amphitheatre (Colosseum), and other significant structures. Augustus's building program changed Rome from a city of brick to one of marble, symbolizing the grandeur and stability of his reign. This period also witnessed improvements in public safety with the establishment of the Praetorian Guard and a fire department in Rome.