1	Centurion: The World of the Legion in Palestine during the First Century L.D. Alford Session 2: The Levant (Palestine)
2	Centurion
3	Introduction Centurion is a Historical Fiction Novel Published by Capstone Follows life of Centurion Abenadar Time 6 BC to AD 35 Location Levant (Palestine) The Levant (Palestine), characteristics and history
4	Class Syllabus 1. Centurion’s character, lineage, and 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	Characters Primary Abenadar ben Abenadar Iustus from Natzeret Ruth Secondary – in this session Pontius Pilate Herodos – Herod Antipas Language is a primary consideration Latin, Greek, Aramaic, Hebrew
6	Geography is Critical What is the climate of the Middle East? Changed radically over time Much due to human action Cedars of Lebanon—no more Spain and Greece were denuded of wood for building fleets Warfare Water depletion - Herodotus writes of Xeres’ army depleting rivers Population—inheritance
7	Geography Jewish view Aramaic names
8	Geography Roman view Anglicized names
9	Geography Terrain Key factor
10	History is Critical 400 bce to 0 ce Greeks City-state – each with a different political system Athens only democracy Constant war with each other and with outside enemies Greeks - not generally defeated or subjugated
11	History is Critical Alexander - ushered in a new era in politics 336 bce takes kingship of Macedonia 323 bce dies in Babylon of illness Sparked imagination of so many cultures empire became model for world C-S modeled selves after Greeks (Hellenism) Adopted Greek language Greek culture Greek philosophy Greek science (same as philosophy) Greek religion
12	History is Critical Alexander Greek religion Paganism Temples Oracles Mystery religion Generals Seleucus - Asia (Persia), Seleucid empire Ptolemy - Egypt Antigonus - Macedon
13	History is Critical Romans 509 bce Republic established City-States with Rome as a part Not a world power until 200 bce 1st Punic war 264-241 bce defeats Carthage 2nd Punic war 218-201 bce defeats Hannibal Defeats Macedon 197 bce Defeats Syria 190 bce 3rd Punic war 149-146 bce Carthage raised 49 bce Caesar crosses the Rubicon – beginning of the end of the Roman republic
14	History is Critical 200 bce to 0 ce Following Alexander’s death Seleucid empire - Seleucus Controlled the Levant back and forth with Greek Egypt at this time Seleucid empire was in control Goal was Hellenization
15	History is Critical 175 bce Jason high priest – political controlling influence Antiochus IV head of the Seleucid empire Jason was open to Hellenization: built gymnasiums, encouraged priests to go to the sporting events Jason rebelled against Antiochus IV and Antiochus sent in troops
16	History is Critical Antiochus began a heavy program of Hellenization of the Jews Defiled the temple with swine Did not allow circumcision Prevented temple worship Built an alter to Zeus in the Temple– abomination of desolation (interpreted by the Rabbis) Precipitated Maccabean revolt, 167 bce
17	History is Critical The Maccabean revolt Started by Mattathias (priest) and his sons Beginning of the Hasmoneans Successful because Romans eating away at Seleucid empire
18	History is Critical Simon proclaimed by people to be their leader and high priest Significant because (according to Josephus) Simon was not of the line of Aaron and not entitled to be high priest Simon and prior to him, his brother Jonathan were proclaimed both high priest and king of Israel - Messiah Line of Hasmoneans through Simon
19	History is Critical Proclamation of Simon as king and high priest caused a split into Jewish sects Essenes Pharisees Sadducees Zealots
20	History is Critical Essenes Jewish tradition: may have been started by the ex-high priest prior to Jonathan Strictly interpreted Law rejected many elements of Jewish “tradition” Separated from sacrificial Law Resurrection of dead Reward and punishment after life
21	History is Critical Pharisees Like Essesens disagreed with Hasmodeans as high priest and king Oral Torah along with the Torah Advocated greater leniency in punishments Believed in resurrection Believed in eternal punishment for wicked Supported by the people Paul (Saul) was a Pharisee
22	History is Critical Sadducees Held only Torah as basis for Law No resurrection No punishment after death Generally controlled Temple and high priest
23	History is Critical Zealots 6 ce founded by Judas of Galilee Basically Pharisees with an extremist bent Violently opposed the Romans and Hellenization
24	History Roman intervention Pompey 66BC sent to stabilize Syria Took Jerusalem and added Judea to Syria End of Hasmodean rule – Pompey appointed his chief lieutenant Gabinius as the administrator Hyrcanus II (a Hasmodean) was appointed high priest by Rome (Pompey), his advisor is Antipater (an Idumean, south of Judea and not a Jew) Antipater’s son was Herod (Herod Antipater)
25	History Herod Appointed administrator of Galilee Brother Phasael appointed administrator of Jerusalem Mark Anthony appointed Herod and Phasael as tetrarchs The Parthians invaded Syria and captured Phaseal and Hyrcanus II Phaseal committed suicide in prison Hyrcanus was mutilated so he could not be the high priest any longer
26	History Herod retreated to Masada and appealed to Rome 37 BC Rome accepted Herod’s appeal and made him the King of Judea At Herod’s request the last Hasmodean king, Antigonus was put to death Herod was a Idumean whose family had been forced to convert to Judaism at sword point Tied himself to Hasmodeans by marrying Mariamme a princess of the family Appointed her brother an Hasmodean (Aristobulis III) as high priest – Herod had him drowned in 35 BC because of his popularity eliminating the last of Hasmodeans Killed many of his own sons and his wives Caesar Augustus said, “It is better to be Herod’s pig than his son.”
27	History Herod’s greatest accomplishments were his building programs and Hellenization of the Levant Rebuilt the Temple in Jerusalem Also erected temples to the Roman gods Staged athletic games in Caesar’s honor Constructed the port at Caesarea Maritama Reequipped Masda Rebuilt many cities in Hellenistic style
28	Temple
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31	Temple
32	Geography Jewish view Aramaic names
33	History Herod’s children 4 BC, riots erupted at Herod’s death that the Roman legate of Syria, Varius had to suppress Herod’s will gave the kingdom to three of his sons (ratified by the Roman Senate) Judea, Samaria, and Idumea – Archelaus as ethnarch Galilee – Antipas as tetrarch Perea – Philip as tetrarch
34	History Judea 6 BC a delegation from the Jews and Samaritans convinced Augustus to exile Archelaus to Gaul (France) Judea was annexed to the Roman province of Syria and a procurator was appointed as the local administrator
35	History 6 to 41 AD six Roman procurators ruled Judea Administered from Caesarea Maritima Came to Jerusalem during the 3 pilgrim festivals Passover Shavuot Sukkot P. Sulpicius Quirinius 6 AD Started with a census Led to armed rebellion Fearing higher taxes and labor service Placed Ananus as high priest Valerius Gratus Deposed Ananus 15 AD Appointed and deposed 3 other high priests
36	History Pontius Pilate 26 AD Ordered legionary standards into Jerusalem imagines (imago) – staffs bearing portraits of the deified and reigning emperors aquila – staffs bearing the legion’s eagle Caused a riot in Caesarea Maritum where there was a great slaughter Josephus tells us about the incident, but it is referred to in Luke
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38	History Luke 13:1-5 1 Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. 2 Jesus answered, "Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? 3 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. 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? 5 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish." (NIV)
39	Tower and Pool of Siloam
40	History Built an aqueduct for Jerusalem Used Temple funds Herod Antipas Tetrarch of Galilee Divorced his first Queen to marry Herodias wife of his late half-brother Philip Built Tiberias On the ruins of an ancient cemetery 39 AD Caligula exiled Herod Antipas to Gaul Awarded all the lands to Herod Agrippa (a grandson of Herod I)
41	Characters Herod Antipas – tetrarch of the Gallil Valerius Gratus Pontius Pilate Essenes Zealots Pharisees - Parush (P’rushim) Sadducees - Tzadok (Tz’dukim)
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43	Summary Geography of the Levant History of the Levant Met some characters from Centruion
44	Next Time The Legions 6 BC to AD 35