AI – ‘Yes, in classical thought, particularly in Greek and Roman political philosophy, peace was strongly linked to the concept of the rule of law, as a bulwark against arbitrary power and a foundation for a just, stable, and prosperous society. 

Greek Philosophy

The idea of lawfulness was central to Greek identity and a measure of governmental legitimacy. 

• Opposition to Tyranny: The rule of law was consistently juxtaposed with the arbitrary rule of a tyrant or monarch. Greek orators and playwrights emphasized that living in a state governed by established laws was essential for liberty and justice.
• Plato and Aristotle: While Plato initially favored the rule of enlightened philosopher-kings, he later conceded that a strict rule of law was the “second-best” practical option for societal happiness and stability, calling for all citizens to be “slaves to the law”. Aristotle explicitly argued that “it is more proper that law should govern than any one of the citizens,” believing the law to be a rational standard that transcends individual desires and forms the bedrock of a just society, allowing people to coexist peacefully.
• The Koinē Eirēnē (Common Peace): In international relations between Greek city-states, the diplomatic concept of a “Common Peace” emerged, advocating for peace treaties that recognized the autonomy of all states and were intended to be permanent, reflecting a desire for a stable order based on shared principles rather than temporary power balances. 

Roman Thought

The Romans further developed this association, with their concept of Pax (peace) often viewed as the order that resulted from agreement (pacisci) or, frequently, the stability achieved through the imposition of Roman power and a universal legal framework. 

• Cicero the Roman statesman emphasized that everyone is a servant of the laws in order to be free, a concise articulation of the intrinsic link between law and liberty which underpins social harmony and order.
• Pax Romana: The long period of relative peace and stability under the Roman Empire (starting with Augustus) was known as the Pax Romana (Roman Peace). This peace was maintained through the emperor’s power to limit unrest within the empire and by the application of Roman law, illustrating a practical link between a pervasive legal system and domestic tranquility. 

In both traditions, the rule of law was considered essential for preventing internal conflict (civil war) and ensuring the stability and prosperity that peace brings’. 

My next Q. – ‘In Ancient Art was there a single motif which represented the interdependent relationship between peace and the rule of law?’

AI – ‘While there was no single universal motif, the ancient Greeks and Romans personified the interdependent relationship between peace and the rule of law through linked goddesses. 

Greek Mythology: The Horae

In Greek mythology, the goddesses Eirene (Peace), Dike (Justice), and Eunomia (Good Order/Legality) were sisters known as the Horae, daughters of Zeus and the Titaness Themis (goddess of divine law and order). 

• This familial relationship in myth symbolically represented that true peace could only exist in the presence of justice and good order, and vice versa. Ancient sources stressed that you could not have one without the others. 

Roman Mythology and Art: Pax and Iustitia

The Romans adopted these concepts with their own goddesses, Pax (Peace) and Iustitia (Justice). 

• Pax was the Roman equivalent of Eirene and was highly promoted by Emperor Augustus to symbolize the Pax Romana (Roman Peace), a period of stability and prosperity across the empire. She was often depicted in art holding an olive branch and a cornucopia, symbolizing the abundance that peace brings.
• Iustitia was the personification of justice, depicted with scales and a sword. 

While they were distinct figures, the Romans considered Pax to be the daughter of Jupiter (king of the gods) and Iustitia. This established a direct mythological link, illustrating that peace was the result of a just and ordered system of rule. In later Western art, especially from the Renaissance onwards, Justice and Peace were often explicitly paired in allegorical paintings to illustrate this ongoing interdependence. 

Conclusion

So, rather than a single abstract symbol, the ancients used the pairing of these specific personified goddesses to represent the strong and necessary link between the rule of law and a peaceful, flourishing society.’