02-28-2002, 02:07 AM
Hmmmm. I shall have to look into that. I see your point though about equestrian vs senatorial class.<br>
But I would still maintain that it required more than a couple cohorts to control the city of Jerusalem. The account of Acts 23:23 details the escort of Paul to Caesarea as an entire cohort. Surely there must have been many more garrisoned at the Antonia for the "chief captain" to spare c.500 men.<br>
Two centuria infantry, seventy cohors equitatae, and two-hundred spearmen. This is the escort of a single citizen!<br>
The greek word used for "chief captain" is "Chiliarchos," the same word used for the Roman tribunus militum. It seems the Antonia garrison must truly have been a force to be reckoned with, whatever it was composed of. Much more than a mere couple cohorts.<br>
<br>
~Chris <p></p><i></i>
But I would still maintain that it required more than a couple cohorts to control the city of Jerusalem. The account of Acts 23:23 details the escort of Paul to Caesarea as an entire cohort. Surely there must have been many more garrisoned at the Antonia for the "chief captain" to spare c.500 men.<br>
Two centuria infantry, seventy cohors equitatae, and two-hundred spearmen. This is the escort of a single citizen!<br>
The greek word used for "chief captain" is "Chiliarchos," the same word used for the Roman tribunus militum. It seems the Antonia garrison must truly have been a force to be reckoned with, whatever it was composed of. Much more than a mere couple cohorts.<br>
<br>
~Chris <p></p><i></i>