65. The Pax Romana

A second triumvirate was formed

That hunted the traitors.

The last of the Romans

Fell over Caesar’s token

Across the river Styx

As the battle for Rome’s future raged all around him.

The traitors died.

Antony met Caesar’s consort

Her country fell when he left

The snake took care of that.

The August one came

In the turmoil after the Julian.

Declaring himself princeps

He rested the exhausted Rome

On her glorious throne

Dressed in an empress’s gown.

During the august one’s reign

Rome grew fat with offerings.

She lay in peace and prosperity

On her throne

Surrounded by presents from across the land.

Silks from China,

Ivory from Africa,

Jewels and spices from India,

Gold and silver flowed from France

Her conquests took her to the Danube.

She was sung to sleep by great poets.

Virgil telling tales of Aeneas,

Horace singing to Grecian pots

Livy told the truth,

Ovid mixing history and myth.

As she rested her mighty head

Smiling to herself on the august one’s lap

He declared Rome to be at peace

Calling himself “Restorer of the world.”

After him dynasties came.

Julio Claudians provided stability,

Flavians gave Rome a proper public crown,

The five good ones spread the empire further.

Emperors came and went like weather.

Some were fair

Others stormy.