This volume investigates how the Roman concept of 'pax' evolved from a simple state of non-war into a complex political instrument that defined the transition from the Roman Republic to the Principate. Hannah Cornwell, a specialist in Roman history, utilizes a wide array of literary, epigraphic, and numismatic evidence to argue that the rhetoric of peace was central to the legitimation of imperial power. By examining the shifting discourse surrounding peace, the author demonstrates how the concept was manipulated to justify the consolidation of authority under the early emperors.

Scholars recognize this work as a significant contribution to the study of Roman political ideology and the mechanics of imperial power. Readers frequently note the academic density of the prose, which makes it a valuable resource for students and researchers of Roman history.