The Tenth Legion Fretensis and Its Italic Cohort

Emblem of Legio X Fretensis

Reconstruction of Roman garrisons in Palestine.

Organization of a Roman legion

Centurion of the Roman legion

Maria Valtorta does not explicitly name the legion stationed in Palestine at the time of Jesus. It was one of the 25 legions ensuring order throughout the Roman Empire under the reign of Tiberius, totaling more than 150,000 men for an empire of 80 million inhabitants.

It is therefore historical sources, cross-referenced with data from Maria Valtorta, that inform us about this Legion.

The Legio X Fretensis

This legion covered the entire territory of the province of Syria. Its Headquarters were in Antioch of Syria, capital of the Roman Province since Pompey's conquest in 64 BC. It was then one of the most powerful cities of the Roman Empire. It counted up to 700,000 inhabitants.

The name Fretensis comes from the inhabitants of the Strait of Messina who formed the initial core of recruitment. Its emblem was the wild boar. Like all Roman legions, recruitment gradually expanded to other regions: Vitalis from Beneventum, for example, or the anonymous centurion of Capernaum who, according to tradition, was originally from Malaga in Andalusia.

In Palestine, the Legio X Fretensis had several garrisons:

• Alexandroscene in Syrian Phoenicia to the north. Certainly an important garrison.
• Capernaum in Galilee, which must have been one of the posts depending on a larger garrison.
• The same was probably true of Ptolemais, which Publius Quintilianus would inspect when he meets Jesus and shows him sympathy.
• Caesarea on the Sea, which was likely both a port of the Syrian fleet and one of the residences of the local Roman aristocracy.
• Betheron, site of a battle during the War of Liberation in 70.
• Jerusalem finally, with the imposing Antonia fortress and a significant garrison.
• Bethlehem. In EMV 74.9, a detachment of Roman soldiers is seen arriving opportunely to save Jesus when threatened.

The organization

Like every legion, the Tenth Legion consisted of a total of 6,000 men. This legion was normally divided into ten cohorts numbered from I to X.

The Italic Cohort

An elite cohort was named the "Italic Cohort". The Acts of the Apostles 10:1 mention its existence: Cornelius from Caesarea on the Sea, baptized by Peter, was a centurion of it. In the work of Maria Valtorta, Publius Quintilianus, met by Jesus, belongs to this cohort. He is promoted to the rank of Tribune of his legion and transferred from Caesarea on the Sea to Antioch of Syria. This rank makes him one of the legion's general officers. Each of the six Tribunes commanded the legion in turn every two months and received their orders from the Emperor’s Legate or from the consul.

Maniples and Centuries

Each cohort was composed of 30 maniples of 200 men, later of 60 centuries of 80 to 100 men, commanded by a centurion. They wore as insignia a vine staff which was used to administer corporal punishment. The work mentions several centurions:

• Cecilius Maximus, originally from Pompeii. He was on guard in Jerusalem when the prisoner Jesus was brought to him in the middle of the night.
• The one from Capernaum, already mentioned above.
• Longinus, who pierced Jesus’ side on the Cross and became the saint honored by the Church.

Decuriae

Each century was divided into ten decuriae of 10 men each, including the decurion. It is these decuriae that are encountered upon leaving Betheron, one of the garrisons of the Italic Legion. One of these decurions, on duty at the foot of the Cross, whispers: "Truly this was the Son of God". He had indeed witnessed Jesus' power at work.

The legionaries

The legionaries served a commitment of 16, sometimes 20 years. Depending on their age and seniority, they fought in one of three ranks: in the first, the hastati (hastati). They were the youngest recruits. In the second, the principes (principes) and finally in the third, the triarii (triarii), the most experienced, thus enjoying a reputation. This is strongly felt in the dialogues gathered throughout the work.

Several of these triarii appear in the work: Aquila, Fabius, … all from the garrison of Alexandroscene in Southern Lebanon. Upon completion of their service, these veterans could remain in place and marry Israelite woman. This is the case of Titus, the innkeeper with numerous offspring. Each veteran received a demobilization bonus equivalent to about ten years of pay.

Role in the future evangelization

The Romans described in the work of Maria Valtorta are indifferent or favorable to Jesus. In no case hostile. Even Pontius Pilate hesitates to condemn him before succumbing to his cowardice.

It is therefore plausible that, depending on their assignments, they played a role in spreading the Word of Jesus.

This is true for the group of Roman aristocrats gathered around Claudia Procula, wife of the Proconsul. The Gospel testifies to her intervention at the Trial of Jesus (Matthew 27:19).

It is also true for the soldiers: Alexander and Publius Quintilianus, assigned to Antioch, center of the flourishing first Christian community.

• Longinus, celebrated by the Church on March 15. According to tradition reported by Adon of Vienne (circa 850), he evangelized Cappadocia.
• The centurion of Capernaum. According to Flavius Lucius Dexter, a 4th-century historian and friend of Saint Jerome, this centurion was an Andalusian from Malaga named Gaius Cornelius. Returning to Spain, he was instructed by James the Greater.
• The decurion at the crucifixion: still according to Flavius Lucius Dexter, he is named Oppius Gaius Cornelius. He would be the centurion Cornelius mentioned in Acts 10:1.
• Albula Domitilla, a matron about fifty years old, appears in the work of Maria Valtorta alongside Claudia Procula. She is her trusted woman. The history of this period knows a Domitilla, wife of Flavius Liberalis, a simple clerk of the treasurer of this legion "X Fretensis." This humble couple is known by their daughter, Flavia Domitilla the elder, who married a plebeian with an exceptional destiny: Vespasian, the future emperor. The same history attests to early evangelization within the emperor’s own circle: Domitian, at the end of the first century, exiled for openly professing Christianity his niece Flavia Domitilla, granddaughter of his namesake.

The Gospel as it was revealed to me (Maria Valtorta).