Augustus, The Last Judeo-Roman Epic is the story of the Roman Centurion who at the site of the crucifixion declared Jesus Christ to be the Son of God. Augustus is a fictional character in that we know not his true name or personal history. We cannot say for sure that Augustus participated in the physical crucifixion of Jesus. We don't know whose hand was responsible for driving the nails through our Lord. Nevertheless, he is, as are we, guilty of sending God's son to the cross. Although this is a fictional account of a Roman Centurion I have named Augustus, the events surrounding this account are well documented in Judeo-Roman history.
The death and conspiracy surrounding the death of Julius Caesar on the Ides of March in 44 B.C. threw Rome into a civil war. The stability of the region was at stake until Octavian rose to power. Rome flourished as the sphere of her influence expanded by treaty and sword. Octavian was given the title of a man beholden by his people, Caesar Augustus, with Augustus meaning 'Revered One'. It was under Caesar Augustus that Rome was first declared an Empire worthy of succession by royal blood. Augustus was loved by his people, as wealth poured into the Imperial treasury. Augustus Caesar declared that a census should be taken throughout the Empire which compelled a young Jewish couple, Mary and Joseph, to travel to Bethlehem, the designated hometown of those of the lineage of King David. Historians place this event at 4-3 B.C. The time of Augustus was predominately a period of expansion and peace, bringing him the accolades of a great ruler. Augustus, however, outlived those worthy of succession. Tiberius, his step-son followed his reign. The Empire craved for a ruler to prolong the era of stability and prosperity ushed in by Augustus Caesar. The Empire was disappointed.
It was Caesar Tiberius who wore the lauryled wreath upon his brow at the time Jesus was given his crown of thorns. Jesus' crucifixion is dated at 30 A.D. and not 0 A.D. as many may believe. Caligula, and his infamous reign of debauchery and indulgence, followed Tiberius. Claudius became Emperor in 41 A.D., but it was his successor, Nero, who sat on the throne when Saul of Tarsus was brought to Rome in chains. Nero is best known for playing his violin while Rome burned, but it was Nero who was still Emperor at the time of the gruesome deaths of both Peter and Paul -- executions which he ordained.
The Holy Bible chronicles the perils of Paul's treacherous voyage by sea to Rome. We are, indeed, given the name of the Imperial Centurion, Julius, charged with the safe delivery of Paul to Rome following his dramatic appeal to Caesar for a fair trial. We know none of the personal history of Julius beyond the Biblical account. Knowing much about Paul, though, we can infer that Julius was exposed to the Gospel of Jesus Christ on that journey. Julius was sympathetic to Paul and offered him unprecedented freedoms as a prisoner of Rome. The Bible clearly credits Julius with saving the lives of the other prisoners at the time of the shipwreck. These soldiers were ready to take the lives of their prisoners rather than risk their escape. Historians place Paul's arrival in Rome at 63-64 A.D., roughly 30 years following the death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.
We have no information suggesting a linkage between the Roman Centurion at the cross of Jesus and the officer attending to Paul. Regardless, each was confronted with the deity of the crucified Jesus. The central character of this fictional account, Augustus, may never have been exposed to the resurrected Lord as most certainly Julius was. But if he were, what a glorious testimony would he possess -- a story which could not go untold.
Please visit another workbench:
Randy's e-mail connection