New Mel Gibson Christ movie

[Gregg]

I believe the procurator lived in Caesarea, and was only in town to nail up a few troublemakers. But as the equestrian governor of a third rate province, Pilate had a very small staff and would only have had auxiliaries at his disposal. I think it was typical for eastern cities and fortresses to be garrisoned by auxiliaries (this came up once before when we were discussing whether or not auxiliaries had artillery or not, evidence from the East suggesting they did). The legate of Syria had three legions, and could be counted on to intervene if necessary.<br>
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It was a very small province, less than 100 miles north/south and 43 miles wide. But probably rather densely populated, with two good-sized urban centers (Jerusalem and Sebaste) and countless villages. Still, constant strife between Jews, Samaritans, Greeks and whoever else would have been a serious headache for any governor. The Jews alone were a very acute problem. They seemed to be going through some kind of cultural mental breakdown at that time, particularly the Jews of Jerusalem, which would have been a magnet for all the hardcore rabble-rousers and lunatics. It seems to me the Romans should have known that the governor of a province constantly teetering on the edge of religious and political upheaval required greater imperium and real military strength than the position was allocated.<br>
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As far as a review of "The Passion" goes, did anyone else see South Park last night? Refreshing antidote, if you ask me. To quote Stan...<br>
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"Dude, that sucked!"<br>
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"That wasn't a movie, it was a snuff film!"<br>
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Gregg<br>
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