1	Centurion: The World of the Legion in Palestine during the First Century L.D. Alford Session 5: The making of a Centurion
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 making of a Centurion
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 Nico Iulius Valens Aemilius Regulus Capilolinus Turnus Rufus
6	Geography Jewish view Aramaic names
7	Geography Roman view Anglicized names
8	Geography Terrain Key factor
9	Basics How to become a Centurion Acceptance into Legion Become a Legionnaire Develop skills – while surviving Military (Gladius) Reports (Literary) Leadership (Tactical and Strategic) Politics
10	Basics Use skills - while surviving Military - fighting Reports – make boss happy Leadership (Tactical and Strategic) Politics
11	Centurion Remember this also, Abenadar. A man can be a great soldier. He can become a great centurion. But there is also the cohort and the legion. Observe all you can of the different levels of command. Learn them all. I myself will never become a centurion. I haven’t the education or the status for it. Yet, the Primus relies on my judgment and knowledge. For the Primus Pilus Century, the Primus Cohort, and the III Gallica, I provide counsel to the Primus. But Abenadar, you could become a centurion. The way is already open to you and you haven’t been a legionnaire longer than three years. Remember your optio, signifer, and tesserarius. The principales are your life, your success, and your conscience.”
12	Centurion “Why do you say the way is open to me to become a centurion? I have no status. I am only a bastard son of a Roman official.” “You are blessed with an exceptional skill in the gladius. Already it has earned you a reputation in this legion, and it has won you a torque, armillae, four phalerae, and a promotion. You will accomplish even more. I will see to it.” “Why do you care what happens to me?” “I am your friend, am I not? But, more than that, I have served under both wise and foolish centurions. Like the Praefectus Castrorum before me, I try to raise up men who can lead. You won’t disappoint me, Abenadar.”
13	Centurion “I won’t. Not if I am able.” The guard passed them through the gate. Nico paused before he turned toward his room. “Tomorrow we begin the training of our new legionnaires and your new training as well.” They shook hands and headed for their quarters.
14	Promotion Sequence Librarius Tesserarius Signifer Optio HQ Principales Centurion If space available If recognized (one method, awards)
15	Promotion and Positions
16	Centurion The Primus finally asked, “Turnus, how do you suggest we reward the Decimus Cohort?” “I suggest the legionnaires receive a full share of the spoil. The principales a double share and the centurions a triple share.” “And for you.” Iulius Valens glared at him. “I will take no share at all, Primus. I am too saddened by the loss of one of my centuries.” “Very well spoken,” replied the Primus Pilus. “Now, Turnus, how shall we reward the Hastatus Posterior?” “Primus, their signum should carry a golden phalerae and their names should be added to the roll of honor.”
17	Centurion “Good. They shall also not end. The Lions will roar again in battle. Do you understand me, Pilus Prior? We will work out the details of the reorganization tomorrow.” Turnus Rufus flinched. He would bear the brunt of the transfers from his own century. “Now,” continued the Primus, “Turnus, how should we reward this courageous librarius and the scouts of the Hastatus Posterior?” “Abenadar has earned the rank of tesserarius; his bravery and skill in battle are attested by his wounds and victories.” “He shall be the tesserarius for your century, Turnus.” Turnus bowed, concealing his smile.
18	Centurion “I shall also bestow on him a gold and three silver phalerae. The gold for his stand with his century against overwhelming odds, and the silver commemorating his victories in battle. To the scouts I also grant each a silver phalerae. You, Turnus, shall provide Abenadar with a silver torque and a golden armillae.” Iulius Valens stared into the Pilus Prior’s eyes. “These shall remind you of the bravery of the Hastatus Posterior and the strength of a single man—for good or ill.”
19	Awards Ranks lower than Centurion torques – necklace, followership armillae – armband, feats of arms phalerae – discs, bravery, killing opponant corona civica, leadership
20	Awards 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
21	Awards Ranks above Centurion (Primus pilus+) hasta pura – silver spearshaft vexillum – small standard mounted on silver
22	Adenadar’s Decorations 9 gold phalerae 3 silver phalerae 3 torques 2 armillae 1 corona civica 1 corona aurea 1 corona civicae aurea 1 vitis
23	Centurion “Lupus, have you ever earned a phalerae before?” “No. We have seen so little action that no one has earned any honors since I have been here.” “What do you do with such a thing?” “You wear them on your armor on the clasp chain at your left shoulder. You can see many of the older veterans with them.” “Nico has 10.” “He has more than any other principales. He also has many torques and armillae, but I have never heard how many.” “Now you have a phalerae. That makes you a veteran,” said Abenadar.
24	Awards
25	Centurion With the blessings of Nico and Iulius Valens, Abenadar took over as optio of the Primus Pilus Century. This caused a greater change in Abenadar’s life: the Primus Pilus shared his scrolls with Abenadar. To Abenadar, this was a completely new thing. In the past, he dealt only with official reports and simple letters. Scrolls of philosophy and poetry were something altogether different. This was a circumstance the Primus could never exploit with Nico. Nico knew little of reading and less of writing. He was an extraordinary trainer and a respected leader. He was not a potential centurion though he was the best principalis in the legion. Nico didn’t have the necessary diplomatic skills or education. Abenadar did.
26	Centurion Iulius Valens saw in Abenadar a protégé to the centurionate and a potential Primus. He was the kind of man Iulius Valens would like to leave in charge of a legion. But unlike Iulius Valens, Abenadar had little hope of a higher rank. Abenadar wasn’t a full Roman. In spite of his father’s standing, he wasn’t highborn. Caesar would never make a man like Abenadar a Tribune, much less the Legatus Legionis. But a man like Abenadar could fill the rank of Primus Pilus. He could train, equip, lead, and bring great honor to a legion, and this was the kind of man Iulius Valens would like to leave in command. Who knows, thought Iulius Valens, he might live to see such a thing come to pass. Though he had no illusion that it might be in his legion or during his service.
27	Centurion Iulius Valens planned to give his Optio, Abenadar, the skills to be both a centurion and a Primus Pilus. The rest would be up to Abenadar and the gods.
28	Abenadar Promotion Sequence Librarius Hastatus Posterior Century (6^th), X Cohort, III Gallica Tesserarius Pilus Prior Century (1^st), X Cohort, III Gallica Hastatus Century (3^rd), I Cohort, III Gallica Signifer – <Nico argues to keep him out>
29	Makeup of a Legion
30	Abenadar Promotion Sequence Optio Primus Pilus Century (1st), I Cohort, III Gallica Principalis – as Optio of 1^st of 1^st Centurion Centurion of the Decimus Hastatus Posterior (6^th), X Cohort, VI Ferrata Legion Primus Hastatus (3^rd), I Cohort, VI Ferrata Legion
31	Makeup of a Legion
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33	Summary How to become a Centurion Awards Positions in Legion
34	Next Time Hebrew life and love