Jerusalem was occupied territory. One of the many, conquered by the empire.
Jerusalem enjoyed a special status; she was allowed a level of autonomy. Subject, of course, to the paraphernalia of government of Rome, with Caesar at the apex, as emperor.
The reason Rome allowed Jerusalem was because the old city was the symbol of the Jewish people and their religion.
In all occupied territories, soldiers were a part of daily life. They kept the peace, ensured there were no insurrections and generally imposed there authority on the populace. They could commandeer anyone and anything.
On one occasion, the teacher who just stood trial at the Governor's court, told his followers; "If a soldier demands that you carry his gear for a mile, carry it two miles.
" Arkad grimaced.
It was ironical that the teacher was now in a position where he was a beneficiary of his own counsel. Arkad and the other soldiers entrusted with getting him to the hill (at the outskirts of the city) had grabbed a man to help carry the pole.
The conscripted was a young man with curly black hair, brown piercing eyes and dark, burnished skin. His name was Simon and he was a native of the African city of Cyrene.
He was in the city on pilgrimage...to participate in the festival of Pesach. The yearly event, arguably the biggest on the calendar, commemorated when Israel left Egypt.
The irony of the cyclical connection between Jews and Africa was not lost on Arkad. He glanced at the Simon.
He was shuffling. A testament to the weight of the pole he'd carried over two miles. Arkad felt a break was in order. That way he'd have strength for another bout.
Besides, the heavy lifting was fitting for the teacher. It was he who had been sentenced to death.
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