16th Century
Roman Centurion
Alabaster, height 30 cm
The sculpture depicts a Roman soldier awaiting the capture of Christ in the Garden of Olives. Centurions were the highest-ranking non-commissioned officers in the Roman legionary infantry. They were career soldiers, starting as ordinary soldiers and rising through the ranks based on seniority and merit, climbing the legion's structure. A legion consisted of 10 cohorts, numbered from I to X, and each cohort was divided into six centuries of 80 soldiers each. The centurion's promotion culminated in gaining command of a century in the 1st cohort, the most important of all. At the head of all the centurions of a legion was the so-called primus pilus, or the "first spear." He was the first centurion of the 1st cohort, and his companions formed the rank of the primi ordines, i.e., the highest-ranking centurions in the legion. When he retired, the primus pilus received a reward and the title of primipilaris, just as a consul became a consularis upon the conclusion of his term. The primipilares were held in particular esteem and could obtain positions such as, for example, prefect of the camp or tribune of the cohorts stationed in Rome. In the imperial era, one could also become a centurion after being a praetorian, i.e., a member of the rulers' personal guard, or through a direct appointment by the emperor himself, as occurred in the case of some members of the equestrian order (the social group immediately below that of the senators). The centurion is therefore a decisive figure in the Roman military organization. He forms part of war councils where he gives the general his opinion on tactics, based on his own war experiences. In battle, he is in the front line, leading by example and courage. In times of peace, he takes care of the discipline and training of soldiers. On other occasions, outside the camp, he is entrusted with special missions.
Centurions are bold soldiers, the best, those who launch themselves to scale the walls to conquer a fortification or a city. They are the ones who carry out risky actions, which require experience, security, and extreme courage. On other occasions, the centurion, with a small number of men, acts as a commando, on a reconnaissance and intervention mission.
The biblical episode narrates that while Jesus was speaking with his disciples, Judas Iscariot entered the garden, followed by a crowd with swords and clubs sent by the chief priests. Judas had ordered the guards to arrest Jesus. He asks his aggressors who they are looking for, and, learning that they wanted to arrest him, declared that he was ready to be taken. As soon as he finished that sentence, the soldiers stepped back and fell to the ground.
The soldiers and guards therefore tied up Jesus and led him to the house of the high priest Caiaphas, where the Sanhedrin had already gathered. The apostles then fled from the Garden of Olives, and only Peter and John followed Jesus during the early stages of the trial.
The marble sculpture is finely carved by an expert hand in rendering details, such as the soldier's armor, but also the foliage of the olive tree on which it rests, as well as the robust bark of the tree.
The object is in good condition.