The Centurion

Somebody Has to Be in Charge

See the soldier with the fancy crest, the greaves, and the expression that says someone’s about to get extra guard duty? That’s the centurion.

A centurion was an experienced officer in charge of a group of soldiers. He kept them trained, organized, equipped, and doing whatever the army needed done. Centurions led in battle, but much of the job was less exciting: inspecting equipment, assigning duties, enforcing discipline, supervising supplies, and dealing with paperwork.

Their gear also made them easy to spot. A tall horsehair crest helped mark out the officer — in battle, a blessing for the troops and a curse for the centurion.

At Bethlehem Revisited, our centurion supervises the census table, keeps the soldiers in order, and carries the eagle whenever the aquilifer wanders off.

Rank has its privileges. Apparently it also means doing everyone else’s job when they’re on break.