Following the end of the republic, and beginning with the accession of Caesar Augustus, the 'golden age' of Rome began in what was known as the Pax Romana (Roman Peace).

This period of time lasted for over 200 years and was marked with very little military expansion or conquests and the Roman Empire was at its peak in terms of land area and population. This period lasted until the death of Marcus Aurelius.

Isis was the Goddess of health, marriage, wisdom, and nature in the Egyptian pantheon of Gods. During, and immediately after, the Roman conquest of Egypt, Isis was adopted into the Roman pantheon of Gods. The cult of Isis spread throughout the Greco-Roman world and she became a representation of “Mother Earth” to many Roman people.

Mithras was a notable God in the Persian belief system and was integrated into the Roman Empire in the first century CE. The worship of Mithras in the Roman Empire took on cult-like qualities and Mithraism became associated with ritual worship and secrecy. Mithras was particularly embraced by Roman soldiers, particularly those who served in parts of the former Persian Empire.

The Persian God Mithras entered the Roman pantheon of worship in the first century CE. Mithras was beloved by Roman soldiers and was one of the principle deities who was thought to watch over the Roman army.

Ceres is the Roman Goddess of the harvest, as well as fertility and motherhood. Ceres’ Greek equivalent was the Goddess Demeter.

Juno is the Roman Goddess of marriage, childbirth, and the protector of women. She was the wife of Jupiter. Juno’s equivalent in Greek mythology is Hera.

Meditations is the unofficial name given to the personal writings and philosophical musings of the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius. Marcus Aurelius was an avowed stoic and much of the Meditations are taken up with stoic considerations of the world. Marcus Aurelius is considered one of the most important stoic philosophers in history.

Marcus Aurelius, the last of the Five Good Emperors, is often remembered for his contributions to philosophy. Specifically, he was an avowed stoic and wrote extensively on the philosophy and stoicism in his Meditations.

Antoninus Pius was one of the Five Good Emperors who ruled Rome throughout much of the second century. It is not quite known how he acquired his name (Pius is not a family name), but it is generally thought it had something to do with his deification by the Senate. What is known about Antoninus Pius, however, is that he never fought in a military campaign as Emperor. This makes him something of an anomaly in the Roman Empire, where most emperors became powerful on the back of their military successes and were expected to continue these conquests once they became Emperor.

St. Peter was one of the original disciples of Jesus Christ. Following Jesus’ death, Peter and Paul worked tirelessly to spread the nascent faith around the known world. According to church tradition, St. Peter travelled to Rome where he founded the Catholic church. He was then subsequently captured and executed on the orders of the Emperor Nero.