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Centurion |
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Secret Information Page |
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ISBN:
1602900124 Format: Paperback, 400pp Publisher: OakTara Publishing Group LLC Pub. Date: January 2008 |
Paperback Kindle ebook |
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Who was
the man ordered to crucify Christ?
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| Lionel Alford Talks About His Book Centurion from Lynnette Bonner's blog Writer's Journey at http://www.lynnettebonner.blogspot.com/ | |||||||||
 I was always intrigued by the statement of the centurion at the foot of
the cross: “Surely this man was the son of God.” Perhaps my interest was
because I served in the military and felt that my life was something like
that centurion’s. In any case, I always wanted to know more about this
military man and his statement. When I read Wallace’s book, Ben Hur and
Douglas’s The Robe, I was left with more questions than answers. I wanted to
delve deeply into the centurion’s life and know exactly who he was.  L. D. Alford is a novelist whose writing explores with originality those cultures and societies we think we already know. His writing distinctively develops the connections between present events and history—he combines them with threads of reality that bring the past alive. L. D. Alford is familiar with technology and cultures—he is widely traveled and earned a B.S. in Chemistry from Pacific Lutheran University, an M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Boston University, a Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering from The University of Dayton, and is a graduate of Air War College, Air Command and Staff College, and the USAF Test Pilot School. L. D. Alford is an author who combines intimate scientific and cultural knowledge into fiction worlds that breathe reality. He is the author of three historical fiction novels: Centurion, Aegypt, and The Second Mission, and three science fiction novels: The End of Honor, The Fox’s Honor, and A Season of Honor. |
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Before I write a book, I spend one to two years of intense historical study prior to putting ink to paper. I spent even longer on Centurion. I started writing the novel in 1989 while flying in Europe and especially in Turkey. The Middle East and Italy were inspirations to me in putting together a work about Roman Legionnaires, Galilee, and Judea around 0 to 35 AD.
I always ask a question when I write. The question I asked myself in Centurion is what would the Roman Legionnaire be like who crucified Christ? What would he think and what would his life be like. Who was he?
The idea came from a short story I put together one Easter. I imagined the response of the woman of the streets who lived with the Centurion who crucified Christ. I saw her as a person like the women who initially trusted in the Christ, like Mary Magdalene. At first the Centurion Abenadar was not a sympathetic character, but in building his life, he was an honorable man who was driven by events and his responsibility to do what needed to be done. Each of the characters grew from the reality of their times and place in the society of 30 AD. We see Abenadar change from a recruit through the training of the legion into a legionnaire, and with battles and training to become a Centurion assigned to Pilate in Judea. We see Ruth, the woman he rescues from the street both vulnerable and yet powerful. A strength behind the compassion of the Centurion.
Finally, though a novel, Centurion is good history. For the reader, through the eyes of Abenadar, the world of 30 AD in Judea comes alive. |
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| This is my original concept for the cover. | |||||||||
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| This is a variant of my cover concept. | |||||||||
| From my writing notes: | |||||||||
| I did not list all my notes or my references. I may add these later--if there is any interest. | |||||||||
| Knowing what I know now about publishing books, I would have liked to have these diagrams included in Centurion - maybe for the second printing... | |||||||||
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| An entire Legion during the time of Centurion | |||||||||
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| Here's a blowup so you can see the organization with labels | |||||||||
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| This side shows the auxiliary equitata and ducurion | |||||||||
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| Here is a map with Aramaic place names | |||||||||
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| Same map with Anglicized place names (Latin and Greek in the Novel) | |||||||||
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Characters:
Abenadar Naomi - Mother Born in Natzeret Kept by a Roman official - discarded when he returned to Rome Abenadar Iustus – Father to Abenadar Friend of Mary’s Tried to comfort Interact with Elizabeth Mary saves her? Promised by Roman husband, her child could be accepted as a Roman citizen
Ruth
Abenadar Librarius - Hastatus Posterior Century (6th), X Cohort, III Gallica Tesserarius – Pilus Prior Century (1st), X Cohort, III Gallica Tesserarius – Hastatus Century (3rd), I Cohort, III Gallica Signifer – <Nico> argues shouldn’t waste his sword arm Optio – Primus Pilus Century (1st), I Cohort, III Gallica Principalis - <likely not necessary> Centurion Centurion of the Decimus Hastatus Posterior, tenth Cohort, VI Ferrata Legion Primus Hastatus, first cohort, VI Ferrata Legion Decorations 9 gold p 3 silver p 3 t 2 a 1 cc 1 ca 1 cca
First Legion - III Gallica I Cohort (primus) – Red color primes ordines Primus Pilus – Iulius Valens Private guard - Burthus Cornicularius – Fonteius Quaestorium quartermaster – Piso Forum salesman – Varro Kepra – brothel slave and seamstress Chay boy Praefectus Castrorum – Nico, Optio for 1/1, Eagle – aquila bearer Praefectus Legionis – Aemilius Regulus, Centurion for 1/3 Poplas – Optio 1/3 X Cohort (decimus) - Blue color Hastatus Posterior Century (6th) – Lion Century Capilolinus – Centurion Tero - optio Stechus - signifer Tiras (change from Rufus) – tesserarius Portius Lupus – only survivor, scout for Lions Euodus Pilus Prior Century (1st) – Sun Century (Mithras) Pilus Prior - Turnus Rufus Fadus – Legionnaire auxiliary equitata decurion 2xturmae 30 each – explain why there are not two decurions Valerian – decurion cavalry leader Lucius – principales
Second Legion - VI Ferrata Legatus Legionis – Iulius Valens I Cohort (primus) – ? color primes ordines Primus Pilus – Cecilius Bassus Rubrius – camp surgeon – old man
X Cohort (decimus) - ? color Decimus Hastatus Posterior Century (6th) – ? Century Optio - Gaius Flaccus - Professional executioner for Pilate Eurycles - Signifer Tiras – Tesserarius Antonius – Librarius Primus Hastatus Century (3rd) - ? Century Optio – Carus
Awards:
Ranks lower than Centurion torques - necklace armillae - armband phalerae - discs corona civica Centurion vitis – vine-staff – baton of office corona aurea – golden crown corona vallaris – first over ramparts corona muralis – first over wall corona civicae aurea – oak leaves saving a fellow citizen corona obsidionalis (or graminea) – wreath of grass, deliverer of a besieged army Ranks above Centurion (Primus pilus+) hasta pura – silver spearshaft vexillum – small standard mounted on silver
tessera – watchword, plaque marked by the t. for the guards Issue and smithy – Quaestorium Store and market – Forum Armor - lorica hamata and the belt Short sword - gladius Sandals - caligae basket, bucket, axe, leather strap, sickle, and chain. large rectangular shield - scutum iron spit, a bronze cooking pot, and a bronze cup, a leather pack, two blue tunics, a belt, a silver chain
Basic training Marching in quick and in time. Military pace 20 miles in 5 hours Full pace 24 miles in 5 hours Running Physical training Running Jumping long and high Carrying heavy packs Swimming Weapon training Wickerwork shields wtx2 Wooden staves wtx2 Practice at the stakes morning and afternoon (stake 6 ft high recruits make themselves) Armatura practice with real weapons against adversaries Barley ration instead of wheat if failed Praefectus Legionis tested and judged Wooden sword wtx1 with a leather button Pilum training Pila wtx2 Hurled at the stakes Pila wooden haft of 3 cubits with a barbed iron head and shank also 3 cubits. 2 rivets fasten the iron to the wood. One rivet is wood the other is iron. The iron is tempered so the iron bends after impact and can’t be removed from the shield. Pila praepilata for practice with leather buttons on the tips and reinforced. Bow and sling training Stone training 1 lb Vaulting on horseback using a wooden horse and buildup to arms Field-service training of the muli Marinani 100 lb with arms armor and 17 days of rations Camp construction Wall 3’ and ditch ahead Deeper ditch 12’ wide 9’ deep wall 4’ Stakes on the top of the wall Battle training Single line Double line The square The wedge The circle Ambulatura March out of cam 10 miles and back over all kinds of ground and practicing all the basic trainings Issue Bronze helmet ? Grieves 2 pila military boots - caligae rectangular shield - scutum ? round shield – clipeus basket, bucket, axe, leather strap, sickle, chain hard tack rations – buccellatum corn ration – frumentum regular rations – cibaria stake Needs Spit Bronze cooking pot Drinking vessel clothing
Gaius Flaccus – Optio to Abenadar in Yerushalayim 10/6 Professional executioner for Pilate
Cerus – Optio to Abenadar in 2/3
Yotam – owns an inn in the marketplace in Jerusalem Wife – Sela Daughter – Brother - Ya’akov – rents house to Abenadar and Ruth – it is across from his house Wife – Shoshanah (Susanna)
Robbers crucified with Christ First Second Bandits
Yochanan the Immerser – John the Baptist Yotam - Jotham Ya’akov - Jacob Miryam – Mary Elisheva - Elizabeth The Galil – Galilee Yeshua - Jesus David - David Natzeret - Nazareth Yosef - Joseph Gavri’el - Gabriel Adonai - Lord Hordos - Herod Yerushalayim - Jerusalem Y’hudah - Judea Kanah - Cana Goyim Z’kharyah Sukkot - the Feast of Tabernacles Pesach - Passover Tzippori – Sepphoris Avraham – Abraham Yarden – Jordan Shomron – Samaria Joppa – Yafo Efrayim - Ephraim talmid (talmidim (p), talmidah (f)) - disciple Tzadok (Tz’dukim) – Sadducee Shabbat (Shabbatot) – Sabbath Parush (P’rushim) – Pharisee cohen (cohanim) – priest L’vi - Levite Gey-Hinnom – hell (valley around the west and south of J.) Shiloach - Siloam Chizkiyahu - Hezekiah Y’hoshafat - Jehoshaphat Beit-Anyah – Bethany Yericho – Jericho chethubah – marriage contract
Tiberias Ctesiphon – Parthian city of C07 Scythopolis – Capital Fortress of Antonia Praetorium
Use the names from the Jewish New T. to cover the story. Use the Jewish names when in the Hebrew context and the Anglicized names when in the Latin and Greek context.
Money:
As (asses) Obol (obols) 2 obols = 5 asses (old rate of 10 asses = 1 d.) Legionnaire per day 2 obols annual rate of 120 denarii (=3.5 asses) Centurion per day 4 obols Cavalryman per day 1 drachma Denarius (denarii) 4 obols = 1 denarius, 16 asses = 1 denarius Legionnaire 225 d. annually paid stipendia of 75 d. (1a.) at beginning of Jan, May, and Sept. Principales 1.5 times (HQ and signifer, optio, and tesserarius) Senior Principales 2.0 times Quadrigatus (ii) 15 asses = 1 Quadrigatus Aurie (gold) 25 d. = 1 a.
Jewish coins Kodrant(es) - copper Lepton – widow’s mite
Roman Legion:
Gallatia: III Gallica Judaea: VI Ferrata, X Fretensis
Legion:
10 Cohorts each cohort 6 Centuries each Century 80-100 men (80 more commonly) Legatus Legionis – head of the legion Senior tribune – second in command Praefectus castrorum – camp perfect in charge when the Legatus or Senior Tribune is away Six military tribunes Primus pilus – Centurion head of first century of first cohort Princeps – next in line head of HQ staff and training
 1st
cohort (primes ordines (Centurions))(5): primus pilus, princeps,
hastatus, princeps posterior, hastatus posterior
Cohorts: 10 decimus (added to the name of the Century to delineate it) Other cohorts 2-10 (6): pilus prior, pilus posterior, princeps prior, princeps posterior, hastatus prior, hastatus posterior Praefectus Legionis – head of training and judge of training Centurion – officer Optio – each centurion had nominated one (optio ad spem ordinis – optio promoted to centurion but awaiting a vacancy) Tesserarius – officer of the watch Librarius – clerk Cerarius – recorder or scribe
Cornicularius – senior nco in charge of the librarius (clerk) immunis – next rank before Centurion (possible promotion: librarius, tesserarius, signifer <moved by me was o,s to s,o>, optio, principales <likely not a necessary step>, centurion) Primi ordines – head centurion in cohort I 1/1 Hastatus princeps – 3 grades 1/2-4 Princeps posterior 1/5 Hastatus posterior 1/6 Principalis (Principales) - NCOs Signifer – standard bearer – kept savings of men – carried the signum <signum – spear-like with phalerae (round disks) symbol on top, symbol on bottom> Optio – NCO under the centurion Tesserarius – NCO orderly sergeant HQ - officium Beneficiarii – later officiales Princes praetorii – centurion head Officia Praefectus Castrorum – trainer of the recruits and Legionnaires Tribunus laticlavius Legatus Legionis Cornicularii – 2 or 3, 1 in normal legions x Commentarienses – lawyers (uncommon) x Speculatores - scouts Beneficiarii – plain up to 60 Adiutores – assistants Stratores – equerries x Quaestionaris (Quaestionarii) - torturers x Frumentarii – police duties x Agrimensores – surveyor x Metatores – camp surveyor x Haruspices – priest Medici ordinarii – medical doctors Cornicen – horn-blower Immunes Librarii Exacti Exceptores Aquilifer – Eagle bearer (aquila) – below centurion, usually veterans near end of service Imaginiferi – imagines (imago) bearers – the portraits of the deified and reigning emperors Forum – market in camp Quaestorium – supply depot in camp
Timeline:
Augustus emperor Birth of Abenadar 6 BC (Naomi – 27) Birth of Yeshua 5 BC Herod Antipas ruled the Galil 4 BC (to 39 AD) Archelaus ruled Judea until 6 AD (son of HtG, end of Jewish rule) Coponius procurator of Judea from 6 AD to x AD Marcus Ambivius procurator of Judea from x AD to y AD Annius Rufus procurator of Judea from y AD to 15 AD Abenadar joins legion 12 AD (+17 years) (Naomi – 44) 13 AD Abenadar becomes a L. 14 AD death of Augustus 14 AD Tiberius, Emperor of Rome Valerius Gratus 15 AD to 26 AD 15 AD Abenadar is promoted to Tesserarius (Naomi – 47) 16 AD Training battle (21 years) (Naomi – 48) – visits Naomi on the return Skips Signifer because of sword skill becomes an aid to Nico while T. 21 AD Optio 1st Cohort aid to Primus Pontius Pilate 26 AD (+31 years) (to 36AD) 27 AD Abenadar promoted to Centurion (action in Pilate’s thing) moves to new Legion Ruth 30 AD Death and resurrection of Yeshua 33 AD (+39 years) (+37 years C.) Time early morning 0500 brought to Pilate (or sunrise) 0?00 sent to Herod 0800 trial 0900* crucified 1200* darkness 1500* death
Imagined place-line:
Sepphoris (Tzippori) Gallica III 1st and 10th Capernaum Centurion of Luke 7:1-10 and Matthew 8 2nd and 3rd Caesarea Philippi 4th and 5th Tiberius 6th and 7th Julias 8th and 9th
Jerusalem (Y.) Ferrata VI 1st and 10th Caesarea Centurion of the Italian Cohort Acts 8 2nd and 3rd Joppa 4th and 5th Neapolis 6th and 7th
Ptolemais in Syria
Israel:
Y’hudah (Judea) H. t. G. s. Archelaus until 6AD. Then ruled by Roman procurator (Pontius Pilate from 26-36 AD) Coponius Marcus Ambivius Annius Rufus Valerius Gratus (11 years) P.P. The Galil H.t. G. s. Herod Antipas from 4 BC-39 AD. – wanted to see a miracle by Christ Iturea and Trachonitis H. t. G. s. Herod Philip from 4 AD to 34 AD Abilene ruled by Lysanias Tiberius, Emperor of Rome from d. of Agustus (14 AD) until 37 AD Herod the Great (73-4 BC) Idumeans (Edomites) m. Mariamne a Hasmonean, 15 children
Herod Antipas (also Herod Tetrarch), s. of H. t. Great, ruled the Galil and Perea 4 BC- 39 AD, “tetrarchos” regional governor, m. Herodias (m. to her Uncle Herod Phillip left P. to become mistress to H. A.) d. Salome’ Sepphoris (built wall around) security of all of the Galil Betharamphtha (built wall around) renamed Julias after the Emperor’s wife Tiberias (built over tombs) on the lake of Gennesareth, warm baths in the villiage of Emmaus Herod Philip Cesarea (Paneas), city at the fountains of Jordan – Agones (games) every fifth year after completion of the city Bethsaida (Julias after Ceasar’s d.) on the lake of Gennesareth
Gessius Florus procurator
Story Sepphoris – 2 cohorts 1 and 10 Jerusalem – Legion Abenadar – 10/6 Fabius – 2/3 Valarius – 1/2
Names:
Aelius Gallus Aemilius Regulus – 1/3 Centurion Praefectus Legionis for the III Gallica Aesopus – servent *10/6Andreus Lucius – cavalry officer for III Gallacia—auxiliary unit Abenadar Primus – Father to Abenadar Antiochus Philometer Antonius Primus Bathyllus Burthus – legionare guard of pp in c3 Caesennius Petus Callimander Callinicus *10/6 Callistus 10/6 Capito (Capilolinus) – a centurion – Abenadar’s first leader Careas 2/3 Carus Bathyllus – Abenadar’s optio Cassander Cassius Longinus Cecilius Bassus – Primus Pilus, VI Feranta Celadus Celenderis Celer – a tribune Classicus Coponius Cornelius Faustus Demetrius Demoteless – Tesserarius to Abenadar, Optio to Gauis Felix *10/6 Euodus - legionarrie Eurycles Eutychus Fabatus 2/3 Fabius – centurion – problem causer of c17 10/1 Fadus – trainee in C09 Fanius Festus *10/6 Portius - legionarrie Flaccus Florus Gessius Furius – centurion Fonteius – Cornicularius of GIII Gallus – centurion Rubrius – camp surgeon – old man Longinus – tribune Longus Lucullus 10/6 Lupus - legionarrie * 1/1 Nico – battering ram – legionarrie trainer Ophellius 6/9 – Pallas – trainee with Abenadar should be 5/10 Paulinus – tribune Pedanius Petronius Publis Piso – Quartermaster, III Gallica Pollio Pompedius Porcius Poplas – Optio III/1/3 Primus Quintillus Varus Rubrius 6/10 Rufus - tesserarius Sabinus Archelaus Semelius Sempronius Silas Silo – captain Silva Flavius Sosius – captain 6/10 Stechus - signifer Stephanus Terentius Turnus Rufus - Pilus Prior X Cohort III Galacia Tero Theodorus * 6/9 Thermus – trainee with Abenadar <should be 5/10> Tiberius Alexander Timidius Tiras – t. for Lion Century Thiras Titus – dead Legionarre and Abenadar’s namesake Valerian – decurion cavalry leader 2/2 Valerius Regulus - centurion Varro Volumnius |
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