Marcus: The Centurion's Journey to Faith - Episode #7

Journal Entry-Monday, September 21, 26 A.D.

Journal Entry - Marcus Aelius Vitalis
Date: Monday, September 21, 26 A.D. (Year of the Consulship of Lentulus and Agrippa, 778 Ab urbe condita)

Three days after the executions, I was summoned by my superior, Prefect Varro. The man’s as hard as the stone walls of the fort we’re stationed in, a true servant of Rome with little room for anything resembling compassion. He believes in the might of the Empire and in the importance of discipline. Rome is a machine to him, and men like me are simply the cogs that keep it running.

I wasn’t entirely surprised by the summons. After the public punishment, there’s always an aftermath to deal with. Unrest in the streets, whispers of revolt, people clutching tighter to their faith in hopes that it will protect them from the inevitable power of Rome. I knew Varro would have something to say about the way I handled the situation, though I wasn’t sure what that would be. In the days leading up to the meeting, I had time to reflect, though it did me little good. The sight of that murderer’s calm, almost peaceful face as he accepted his fate still lingers in my mind. And the whispers of this supposed Messiah have only grown louder.