Roman. The Roman army, estimated to number 300,000 during Augustus’ reign, was organized quite differently from those of former empires. The principal part of the Roman military establishment was the legion. It was a large independent unit, a complete army in itself, rather than a specialized portion of a greater force. Sometimes legions fought together, merging their resources and strength under a central command, as when four legions combined under Titus for the siege of Jerusalem, 70 C.E. But usually the legion stood alone with its individual commission of duty. Supplementing the legionnaires were noncitizens from all parts of the empire who made up the auxilia, often volunteers from the local district. Auxiliaries, backed up by the legions, were stationed along the borders. Upon honorable discharge one in the auxilia was granted Roman citizenship.

The number of legions varied at different times, from 25 or less to as many as 33. Likewise the number of soldiers comprising the legion fluctuated from about 4,000 to 6,000; in the first century the force usually numbered 6,000. For this reason “legion” as used in the Scriptures apparently means an indefinite, large number. (Mt 26:53; Mr 5:9; Lu 8:30) Each legion had its own commander, responsible solely to the emperor, and under him were six tribunes, called chiliarchs (military commanders, NW).​—Mr 6:21; Joh 18:12; Ac 21:32–23:22; 25:23; see MILITARY COMMANDER.

The legion was divided into ten cohorts, or bands. Thus the Scriptures speak of “the Italian band” and “the band of Augustus.” (Ac 10:1; 27:1; see AUGUSTUS, BAND OF.) When Herod Agrippa died, 44 C.E., there were five cohorts in Caesarea. Further subdivided, the legion had 60 centuries, usually 100 men each, under the leadership of a centurion (army officer, NW). These officers were especially valuable, having the responsibility of training soldiers. (Mt 8:5-13; 27:54; Ac 10:1; 21:32; 22:25, 26; 23:17, 23; 24:23; 27:1, 6, 11, 31, 43; see ARMY OFFICER.) In each legion there were ten officers of special rank who acted as body guardsmen, couriers, and sometimes as executioners.​—Mr 6:27.

The Roman legions had their various standards and ensigns bearing images of eagles or some animals; later small statues of the emperor were added. These banners had religious significance, were considered sacred and holy to the point of being worshiped, and were guarded at the cost of human life. It was for such reasons that the Jews violently opposed their presence in Jerusalem.

This translates the Greek terms he·ka·ton·tarʹkhes (or he·ka·tonʹtar·khos) and ken·ty·riʹon, and it designates an officer in command of a hundred soldiers, a centurion. The Roman legion, regardless of its size, was always divided into 60 centuries, each under the command of a centurion. If the legion shrank below 6,000, still one sixtieth, even when less than 100, was under a centurion. These army officers were nominated by tribunes and were approved by higher government authorities. The office of centurion was the highest rank the common soldier could reach, though there were opportunities for some advancement within the ranks of the centurions themselves.

The centurions were keymen and served a most important function in the legion. While they were under the authority of the tribunes and responsible to carry out their orders, the army officer was the real and immediate head of the soldiers. He drilled the soldiers; worked with them; inspected their arms, supplies, and food; regulated their conduct. He was the disciplinarian who supervised scourgings and capital punishment, the one who authorized punishment of his troops. The readiness and efficiency of the Roman army, for the most part, depended more on centurions than on anyone else; they were, generally speaking, the most experienced and valuable men in the Roman army.​—See ARMY.

Army officers appear in the Christian Greek Scripture narratives on several occasions. The army officer from Capernaum who sought Jesus’ healing power on behalf of his slave was commended by the Master for his exemplary faith. (Mt 8:5-13) The statement of the Jews, “He loves our nation and he himself built the synagogue for us”; the centurion’s acknowledgment that “I am not fit to have you come in under my roof”; and Jesus’ comment, “Not even in Israel have I found so great a faith,” all indicate that the army officer was a Gentile. If he was a Roman, this was all the more remarkable, for Romans were not noted for their compassion toward slaves.​—Lu 7:1-9.

An army officer headed the four soldiers who put Jesus to death. (Joh 19:23) This centurion likely had been present when the claim of divine Sonship was discussed before Pilate. (Joh 19:7) Observing this trial and the other circumstances surrounding the impalement, as well as the miraculous phenomena accompanying Jesus’ death, “the army officer began to glorify God,” saying, “Really this man was righteous,” “Certainly this was God’s Son.” (Lu 23:47; Mt 27:54) Undoubtedly it was of him that Pilate inquired whether Jesus was dead before giving the body over for burial.​—Mr 15:44, 45.

Cornelius, a centurion of the Italian band, stationed in Caesarea, was the first uncircumcised Gentile to become a Christian. (Ac 10:1-48) The fact that he had his own house and attendant soldiers indicates that officers of this rank were allowed to live detached from the regular troops.​—See CORNELIUS.

Army officers stationed in the Tower of Antonia, together with their soldiers and the military commander, rushed down to the adjoining temple grounds and rescued Paul from a mob, about 56 C.E. (Ac 21:32) Later, Paul escaped scourging on the order of the military commander by disclosing to an attending army officer that he was a Roman citizen. (Ac 22:25, 26) Upon learning of a plot against his life, Paul called an army officer to lead his nephew to the military commander with this report. In turn, two army officers were ordered to ready a force of 470 soldiers, cavalry, and spearmen to ensure Paul’s safe conduct out of Jerusalem.​—Ac 23:17, 23.

Julius, an army officer of the band of Augustus (see AUGUSTUS, BAND OF), was responsible for Paul’s passage from Caesarea to Rome. He treated Paul with kindness, though at first ignoring the apostle’s advice. Eventually, however, this centurion learned to respect Paul’s judgment, and he was instrumental in saving the apostle’s life.​—Ac 27:1, 6, 11, 31, 43.