The Roman Army, a formidable military force of the ancient world, played a significant role in the historical and cultural context of the New Testament. Its presence is evident throughout the Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles, reflecting the Roman Empire's dominance over Judea and the broader Mediterranean region during the time of Jesus and the early church.

Structure and Organization

The Roman Army was renowned for its discipline, organization, and innovative tactics. It was composed of legions, each consisting of approximately 4,800 soldiers, though the number could vary. A legion was divided into cohorts, centuries, and contubernia, with each unit having specific roles and responsibilities. The centurion, a key figure mentioned in the New Testament, commanded a century, typically consisting of 80 men. Centurions were known for their leadership and valor, as seen in the account of the centurion who approached Jesus for the healing of his servant (Matthew 8:5-13).

Role in Judea

The Roman Army's presence in Judea was primarily to maintain order and enforce Roman law. The soldiers were stationed in key locations, including Jerusalem, where they could quickly respond to any unrest. The New Testament provides several instances of Roman soldiers interacting with Jewish society and the early Christians. For example, Roman soldiers were involved in the arrest and crucifixion of Jesus, as described in the Gospels (John 19:23-24).

Interactions with Early Christians

The Roman Army's interactions with early Christians were complex. While they were often seen as oppressors, there are notable instances of Roman soldiers and officials showing openness to the Christian message. In Acts 10, Cornelius, a centurion of the Italian Regiment, is described as a devout man who feared God. His conversion and baptism by Peter marked a significant moment in the spread of Christianity to the Gentiles (Acts 10:1-48).

Symbol of Authority and Power

The Roman Army symbolized the authority and power of the Roman Empire. This is evident in the trial of Jesus, where Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor, ultimately sanctioned His crucifixion, a method of execution reserved for the most serious offenses against Roman rule (Mark 15:15). The soldiers' role in mocking and crucifying Jesus highlights the tension between the earthly power of Rome and the spiritual kingdom Jesus proclaimed.

Paul and the Roman Army

The Apostle Paul had numerous encounters with the Roman military. His Roman citizenship afforded him certain protections and privileges, which he invoked during his missionary journeys. In Acts 22, Paul used his citizenship to avoid a flogging, asserting his rights before the Roman authorities (Acts 22:25-29). Additionally, Roman soldiers escorted Paul to Rome, ensuring his safety during his appeal to Caesar (Acts 27:1-2).

Conclusion

The Roman Army's presence in the New Testament narrative underscores the historical and political backdrop of the early Christian movement. Its interactions with Jesus, the apostles, and early believers provide insight into the challenges and opportunities faced by the nascent church within the Roman Empire.Roman Army

ROMAN ARMY

See ARMY, ROMAN.

2862. kolonia -- a colony (a city settlement of soldiers disbanded ...
... a colony (a city settlement of soldiers disbanded from the Roman army). Part of
Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: kolonia Phonetic Spelling: (kol-o-nee'-ah ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2862.htm - 6k

2760. kenturion -- a centurion (a Roman army officer)
... a centurion (a Roman army officer). Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration:
kenturion Phonetic Spelling: (ken-too-ree'-ohn) Short Definition: a ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2760.htm - 6k

2883. Kornelios -- Cornelius, a Roman centurion
... Kornelios Phonetic Spelling: (kor-nay'-lee-os) Short Definition: Cornelius Definition:
Cornelius, a centurion of the Roman army, stationed at Caesarea. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2883.htm - 6k

3003. legion -- a legion
... large number Definition: properly: a division of the Roman army, numbering about
6,000 infantry with additional cavalry; hence: a very large number; a legion. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3003.htm - 6k

1543. hekatontarches -- a centurion, a captain of one hundred men
... hekatontarches or hekatontarchos Phonetic Spelling: (hek-at-on-tar'-khace) Short
Definition: a centurion Definition: a centurion of the Roman army. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1543.htm - 7k

2804. Klaudios -- Claudius, the name of an Emperor, also an army ...
... Claudius, the name of an Emperor, also an army officer. Part of Speech ... Definition:
Claudius Definition: (a) Claudius, the fourth of the Roman Emperors, Tiberius ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2804.htm - 6k

4759 -- captain of the guard.
... body-guard Definition: commander of the Roman emperor's body-guard. captain of the
guard. From stratopedon and archo; a ruler of an army, ie (specially), a ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4759.htm - 5k

St. Ambrose Assures Gratian of victory, Declaring that it Has Been ...
... Footnotes: [2089] The disasters here alluded to are the rout of the Roman army,
in 378 ad, at Hadrianople, and the miserable death of the Emperor Valens, who ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter xvi st ambrose assures.htm

A Soldier's Training
... That Roman army was the most admirably disciplined which the world till then
had ever seen. So, indeed, was the whole Roman Government. ...
/.../kingsley/town and country sermons/sermon iv a soldiers training.htm

A Second Overthrow of the Persians by the Romans.
... They therefore, on arriving at the place appointed, divided themselves into two
bands, with a view to surround some portion of the Roman army. ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of scholasticus/chapter xx a second overthrow of.htm

How John Tyrannized Over the Rest; and what Mischiefs the Zealots ...
... But when once they were informed that the Roman army lay still, and that the Jews
were divided between sedition and tyranny, they boldly undertook greater ...
/.../chapter 7 how john tyrannized.htm

The Roman Power.
... The Roman army helped him to win back the country; and as the caves in the hills
were full of robbers, he let down soldiers in boxes over the face of the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson xix the roman power.htm

Destruction of Jerusalem Foretold.
... with the entire paragraph, we can readily see, 1. That it was a sign practically
simultaneous with the compassing of Jerusalem by the Roman army.2. That it was ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/cxiii destruction of jerusalem foretold.htm

Of the Falsity of the Augury by which the Strength and Stability ...
... these things which we have quoted from their books could have been written, but
yet after that auspice was made under king Tarquin, the Roman army has been ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 29 of the falsity of.htm

Renewal of Hostilities Between the Romans and Persians after the ...
... But the event did not realize these promises; for God infused into the minds of
the Saracens a terrible panic; and imagining that the Roman army was falling ...
/.../chapter xviii renewal of hostilities between.htm

Of the Disasters which Vexed the Roman Republic after the ...
... [152] Where were they when, during ten successive years of reverses, the Roman army
suffered frequent and great losses among the Veians and would have been ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 17 of the disasters which.htm

The Goths
... looked with horror on the constant increase of Ostrogoths, Visigoths, Suevi, and
Vandals, who now not only crowded the ranks of the Roman army, but constituted ...
/.../gathering clouds a tale of the days of st chrysostom/chapter xxv the goths.htm

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