ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the observations relate to a 'booty economy' and how it enabled successive emperors to sponsor impressive public monuments, somewhat devolved from civic patronage. In fact, dated building inscriptions in Rome, Italy, and the provinces are the most numerous in the first two centuries of the Principate, and point to buoyant economic conditions in this period. The Antonine Wall was begun around 142 and completed about 154, but abandoned around 162, with Roman forces retrenching south to Hadrian's Wall, a factor that suggests continued hostility in the north. The reign of Antoninus Pius, Hadrian's adopted heir, and the 'Fourth Good Emperor', is generally regarded as peaceful. Antoninus Pius was succeeded by his two sons Marcus Aurelius, the last of the Five Good Emperors, and Lucius Verus. Marcus Aurelius' death traditionally marks the end of the 'Pax Romana', yet it is ironic that the tyrannical reign of Commodus that followed was relatively peaceful.
