1	Centurion: The World of the Legion in Palestine during the First Century L.D. Alford Session 7: The events of the crucifixion and resurrection—a historical perspective
2	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 events of the crucifixion and resurrection—a historical perspective
3	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
4	Characters Primary Abenadar ben Abenadar Iustus from Natzeret Ruth Secondary – in this session Pontius Pilate Gaius Flaccus Yeshua Herodos Yosef of Ramatayim
5	Capture Temple guard Were not allowed weapons and armor outside Temple Were Levites Would have required a Legion escort
6	Centurion At dusk, Abenadar led two columns of his legionnaires to the Temple. The chief cohen of the current levy of L’vi’im, and not the Cohen Hagadol, intercepted them before they entered the Court of Goyim. He was a sickle-featured man with heavy lidded eyes. As if a single glance would defile him, he gazed everywhere except directly at the Romans. In simple Greek, the cohen said, “You are Centurion Abenadar?” “Yes,” replied Abenadar.
7	Centurion “The Procurator promised the Cohen Hagadol, if your columns escorted our guards, they could leave the Temple with their weapons.” “You have the Procurator’s word.” “Will you help us take the criminal, Yeshua from Natzeret?” From Natzeret, thought Abenadar, alarmed, but he said, “No. This is your business and not ours. I was present when the Procurator made that clear.”
8	Capture Yeshua held out his hands. “I AM,” he said, using the name of the Lord God Y’hovah. When he said this, the cohanim and Temple guard stepped back in astonishment and fell to their knees. Abenadar himself was taken aback. Yeshua used the name of Adonai, the name that could only be spoken by the Cohen Hagadol on the highest holy day. “Get up,” cursed the chief cohen. “Get up, you fools, and capture him.”
9	Capture The Temple guard stood up and stared angrily at the chief cohen. Then they stepped again toward Yeshua. “Whom do you want?” said Yeshua again. This time the chief cohen said, “Yeshua of Natzeret.” He motioned for the slaves around him to set upon Yeshua. With obvious fear, they moved forward with the Temple guards. “I told you ‘I AM,’ ” said Yeshua. The Temple guards and cohanim stopped in their tracks. “If I am the one you want, then let these others go.”
10	I AM Ego emmi 1473 ego (eg-o'); a primary pronoun of the first person I (only expressed when emphatic): KJV-- I, me. For the other cases and the plural see 1691, 1698, 1700, 2248, 2249, 2254, 2257, etc. 1510 eimi (i-mee'); the first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist (used only when emphatic): KJV-- am, have been, X it is I, was. See also 1488, 1498, 1511, 2258, 2071, 2070, 2075, 2076, 2468, 5600, 5607.
11	I AM Ego emmi Very specific Greek term Only used in a completely exclusive sense Obvious transliteration of the Hebrew name for God – I AM – Jehovah Sanhedrin – crime of blasphemy Only Cohen Hagdol knew correct pronunciation Only Cohen Hagdol could say “the Name” – once a year
12	Roman Trial Pilate sat in his chair. “What can we expect next, Centurion?” “Anan and Kayafa will wait until sunrise and bring the man Yeshua to you.” “What will they want from me?” “The priests fear you more than they fear Yeshua. They will insist you judge Yeshua guilty of insurrection and demand you put him to death.”
13	Roman Trial Pilate’s face took on a sly cast. He poured himself a cup of wine. “How then should we rule, Centurion Abenadar?” “I would not presume to make this judgment for you, Procurator.” “How would you rule?” Pilate cocked his head.
14	Roman Trial Abenadar thought a moment. “This man, Yeshua, does not challenge your authority in Judea. He is a challenge only to the Sanhedrin and the priests. Yeshua’s teaching and this conflict with their leaders distract the people, and because of this, we have little trouble in the city or in Judea. He makes our job easy, and the peace brings tribute into your treasury. I say Yeshua is worth more to us alive than dead. And for this reason alone, I would keep him alive.”
15	First Interview Near dawn Sanhedrin Claudia Procula
16	Centurion As they walked back to the portico, he said to Abenadar in Latin, “What should we do about this man? Surely the charges against him are brought maliciously.” “The response of the people is my greatest concern, Procurator.” “How so, Centurion?”
17	Centurion “You said yourself, the people of the city greeted this man as if he were a king. Many believe he is a prophet, some think he is the Messiah of the Judeans. If we kill him, the people may revolt against us.” Pilate struck his palm with his baton. “While he is alive, the man is an asset. When he is dead, he becomes a threat to us. These people are perverse. What do you suggest we do?” “If the Sanhedrin could be convinced to proffer a lesser charge against the man, we could scourge him and let him go.”
18	Second Interview Following the morning sacrifice Entire Sanhedrin - 71 Pilate learns Yeshua is from the Galil and sends him to Herodos
19	Centurion When Herod stayed in Yerushalayim, Pilate allowed him to occupy the old palace. Because the Fortress of Antonia was easier to defend, nearer the market, and sat right against the Temple, the Procurator preferred to reside there. The man who ruled the Fortress of Antonia ruled the city. The palace, on the other hand, was rundown and undefendable, and with no king in Yerushalayim, the cohen had no reason to spend a single lepton to rebuild it.
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21	Herod’s Interview Herodos wants to see a miracle Yeshua won’t speak Purple robe from Herodos Pilate would not have had a robe—only toga Pilate was not royalty Only Herodos would have a purple robe First beating Only reason Yeshua was not killed—Pilate’s Centurion
22	Centurion “This is the week of the Passover. In the past, during the festival, you released a prisoner for the Judeans. Right now we possess few popular prisoners for them to choose from. Everyone in our prison is a Zealot—men hated and feared by the people and Sanhedrin for violence at least as much as the Sanhedrin hate this man for his ‘truth.’” Pilate bent his head in thought. “Yes, yes, that is a very good idea. We will ask them to choose, and then perhaps we will be rid of this man. Do you think they will accept this judgment?”
23	Third Interview bar-Abba Blue Shawl captured by Abenadar at the Pool of Shiloach Means – son of the Father Barabas
24	Centurion Pilate was filled with rage. He spun on his foot, then recovering his decorum, he stopped beside Abenadar. “Very well, give them bar-Abba. Arm him and tell him the priests have finally agreed to free him.”
25	Centurion Pilate stormed into the court. “Legatus.” “Yes, Procurator,” answered Iulius Valens. “Flog and debase the prisoner, Yeshua. Make him a king of sorrows for these Judeans.” Iulius Valens spoke to one of the legionnaires standing guard in the court. “Get the Centurion Gaius Flaccus. He is the legion’s Quaestionaris and executioner. Tell him to bring his tools.”
26	Centurion Gaius unhooked the scourge from his belt and let it play to its full length, “How many strokes, Legatus?” “Forty…,” said Pilate. “Start with forty.” Gaius hefted the scourge, and the pieces of iron at the ends of the leather cords clattered on the tile of the floor.
27	Fourth Interview Flogging and debasing Purple robe atypical – came from Herodos 40 strokes typical – Jews tended to use 39 as maximum Quaestionaris – with a special prisoner would accomplish the job himself Crown of desert thorns inspired by robe and Pilate’s desire to debase Yeshua in the eyes of the Cohan Spiting and slapping – open hand typical
28	Fifth Interview Sanhedrin’s demand Pilate’s questions Pilate’s decision
29	Centurion A thin sheen of sweat covered Pilate’s face. He sat in silence for a long time, then finally said, “We have decided.” He stood up and motioned with his hand. “Take him to the Pavement. We will render our judgment there.” Pilate left the court through the passage to his personal quarters.
30	The Pavement
31	Roman Trial “Very well. We have tried everything to save a man who is guilty of no crime deserving death.” He motioned to the slave beside him. The slave lifted the basin and Pilate placed his hands in it. Pilate nodded to the slave, and he poured water from the pitcher over Pilate’s hands. Pilate said, “My hands are clean of this man’s blood. His death is your responsibility.”
32	The Instructions Pilate motioned for the Legatus Legionis, Abenadar, and Gaius Flaccus. The three men stood around the seat of judgment. Over the noise of the crowd, they strained to hear Pilate. “I don’t want a riot. Abenadar, you are in charge of this. Use all caution against the deception of these people. Take the man to The Skull, and you, Gaius Flaccus, execute him there in the fashion of a king.” Then, as almost an afterthought, he said, “Legatus, does this meet with your approval?”
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34	The Instructions Abenadar – Centurion in charge Gaius Flaccus – Quaestionaris Execute as a king Under Abenadar in authority and rank Latitude of Quaestionaris to execute prisoners at his convenience
35	Centurion Abenadar’s column made its way to the lower entrance of the Fortress. There, from the guard, Gaius received two Zealots into his care. They were bound and hobbled, and Abenadar recognized them as the two men he had captured with bar-Abba at the Pool of Shiloach. The guards handed out the execution stakes with crossbars already attached. Gaius placed them on the shoulders of the prisoners. He also took a mallet, wooden pegs, a flask, and some short pieces of rope.
36	Crucifixion Two men executed with Yeshua not simple robbers or thieves 3027 leistes (lace-tace'); from leizomai (to plunder); a brigand: KJV-- robber, thief Romans, Jews, Pagans did not execute people generally for theft – brigands were A brigand would be similar to a rebel or revolutionary
37	Crucifixion Two methods Romans used for crucifixion Normal – easy method Special method reserved for kings, leaders, nobles, Romans of high rank Normal method Tied to cross bars arms and legs Long and lingering death Basically drown
38	Crucifixion Second method Special method Wooden stakes Radius and ulna Fibula and tibia Can’t make a stake hold in a palm – no bones Can’t make a stake hold in a foot – no bones
39	Hand Bone
40	Foot Bone
41	Crucifixion Method Stake at top of wrist between radius and ulna Stake at top of ankle between tibia and fibula Wooden stakes – if money is made of iron, would you leave it on a cross? Holes already in crossbar Must be careful not to hit arteries – tie off arms and legs Drug prisoner – pain is severe
42	Crucifixion Death comes like normal crucifixion but more quickly Loss of blood with each cycle Pain during the cycles
43	Crucifixion
44	Sign "What?" Abenadar cleared his throat. "Yes, already?" Abenadar kept his eyes from Yeshua and turned to his librarius. "Mark the placard 'This is Yeshua from Natzeret, King of the Judeans.' Write it in Latin, Greek, and Aramaic."
45	Death On the cross before noon At noon Sounds Darkness like night until 3 pm Sacrifices High priest first Passover sacrifices at 1 pm Priests were supposed to start first group of 3 Passover lamb sacrifices at around 3 pm to be finished before sundown
46	Death Death at 3 pm Time when Passover lamb sacrifices were supposed to begin Water clock in Temple Holy of holies opened – can’t sacrifice High priest could not accomplish the preliminary sacrifices during darkness
47	Centurion Finally, his heart engulfed with anguish, Abenadar said, “Surely, this man was the Son of Adonai.”
48	Following Death Break rebel’s legs Speeds death—almost immediately Shock Unable to lift—drown Yeshua already dead Due to method of crucifixion-lift down cross Two empty crosses on hill As predicted by method
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50	Burial Tomb Garden Body prepared 75 pounds of spices and resin Wrapped Comes out of Egyptian experience of Jews Anyone who touched body was defiled and could not eat of Passover Reason Yeshua’s disciples didn’t get him Yosef of Ramatayim and Nicodemus
51	Visitors to Tomb Roman guard at tomb Could not be temple guards No need to pay off Visitors to tomb Women – how many – Greek literature – doesn’t matter in Greek thought Roman guard – not mentioned - Greek literature – had to have been present (watch) Tessarius Centurion
52	People at Tomb Women at tomb Did not know Yosef of Ramatayim had already prepared body Came after Passover/Shabbatt
53	Conclusions Examined novel Centurion Historical depth is much greater than many similar works Roman perspective and concepts Jewish perspective and concepts Purpose is to allow you to live the lives of the characters
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55	Centurion www.ldalford.com www.CenturionNovel.com www.lionelalford.com Daily changes and new information Write me at pilotlion@aol.com