1	Centurion: The World of the Legion in Palestine during the First Century L.D. Alford Session 1: The Centurion’s character, lineage, and life from history
2	Centurion Definition: Roman military leader Commissioned officer Over Century (80-100 men) Centurion Over Cohort (480-600 men) Pilus Over Legion (4800-6000 men) Primus Pilus
3	Introduction Centurion is a Historical Fiction Novel Idea 1989, start 1995, finished 1997 Published by Capstone in Jan 08 Follows life of Centurion Abenadar Time 6 BC to AD 35 Location Levant (Palestine) Determination of the Centurion’s character, lineage, and life from history
4	Class Syllabus 1. Centurion’s character, lineage, & life 2. Palestine in 6 BC to AD 35 3. The Legions 4. Training a Legionnaire 5. The making of a Centurion 6. Hebrew life and love 7. The events of the crucifixion and resurrection—a historical perspective 8. Conclusion
5	Overview Novel is wholly historical—2+ years of research Mainly primary sources in history Language, religion, and cultural details Language key aspect of novel Aramaic names, places, terms – narrative and Hebrew conversations Anglicized names, places, terms – Latin and Greek
6	Synopsis Naomi Birth of Abenadar – 5 BC Declared Roman citizen, enters III Gallica Librarius, training as Legionnaire Valerius Gratus demonstration against the Parthians – first blood – loss of century Promotion to tessararius Acceptance as Nico’s assistant
7	Synopsis Training a new century Nico trains Abenadar to be a centurion Chance meeting with Blue Shawls Promotion to 1^st Cohort Nico to officium - Abenadar to Optio Pontius Pilate’s demonstration Scythopolis Chasing down the Zealots Pilate’s honor, Adenadar’s shame
8	Synopsis Abenadar to centruion – VI Ferrata Iulius Valens to Legatus To Yerushalayim Pilate’s weapon - Abenadar Policy changes in Yudah The Ophal Ruth – battling Blue Shawls Abenadar’s obsession Wooing Ruth
9	Synopsis Abenadar’s household A prophet – Yochanan the Immerser The Pool at Shiloach Abenadar makes an enemy Ambush Abenadar’s recovery Revelations Visit to Yochanan the Immerser A new prophet - The Lamb of God
10	Synopsis Ruth’s faith Abenadar’s observations Eyes in the city Warning to Ruth Capture of Yeshua Events of Friday Abenadar and Yeshua Assignment to crucifixion Events at the Tomb
11	Synopsis Final events Assignment to Rome
12	Characters Primary Abenadar ben Abenadar Iustus from Natzeret Ruth Secondary Naomi Yeshua ben Yosef from Natzeret Pontius Pilate Gaius Flacus Iulius Valens Nico
13	Abenadar ben Abenadar Iustus from Natzeret
14	Centurion
15	Abenadar What we know Traditional name, man in charge of Christ’s execution Centurion Above Quaestionaris Centurion Gaius Flacus Traditional executioner of Christ Easy assumptions Pilate trusted Capable Competent
16	Abenadar Easy assumptions Roman citizen – required for Legion Read and write – necessary for Centurion Expendable – Roman would not be assigned Single name – not full Roman (common) Above Quaestionaris Centurion Gaius Flacus Must be Primes Ordines – first Cohort Likely not Primus Pilus – first Cohort, first Century Ferrata VI (most likely) or X Fretensis Legion
17	Abenadar Complex assumptions Not full Roman - likely Possible part Greek, Arabian (unlikely), or Egyptian – wrong legions Son of Roman official Jewish mother not impossible – most probable Most likely Samaritan or the Galil Languages - likely Greek – common tongue Latin - necessary Hebrew – uncommon and unlikely Aramaic – competent to do work of crucifixion
18	Abenadar Obvious liberty Mother from Natzeret Mother same time frame as Miryam Mother knew languages, literate Greek Aramaic Latin very possible Literate less probable Knew Yeshua as child
19	Ruth
20	Ruth Luke 13:4 4 Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them-- do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? (NIV) What happened to their children?
21	Ruth Developed character Prostitute – very likely From the Galil – very possible Jewish – most likely Lost mother and father in the fall of Shiloach Reason for prostitution Strong Jewish background – from the Galil My character
22	Secondary Characters We will meet them as we study the details of the history in Centurion
23	Summary Overview of the Novel Met the major characters character, lineage, and life from history
24	Next Time Palestine in 6 BC to AD 35