Domina Victrix

Chapter 88: 36 AD, Mount Gerizim, Samaria, and Caesarea

Dawn broke over the twin peaks of Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal, near Nablus, sacred sites to both Jews and Samaritans. It was here that the freed Israelites, forefathers to both, had first set foot in their homeland and made offerings to Yahweh. Samaritans believed that Abraham had worshipped here, and almost sacrificed Isaac. They also believed that Abraham had designated this spot as the future site of a temple, not Jerusalem.

Over the centuries, the people of Samaria had built several temples to Yahweh. All had been pulled down by successive invaders, Assyrians, Babylonians, Judeans, and Romans. Undaunted, the Samaritans were trying again, raising another temple on the ruins of the last. The people were aware of Yeshua, but most did not hold him as the Messiah. Tradition foretold that Moses himself would rise, and he would make the Samaritans a free nation again.

To that end, hundreds of Samaritans had gathered on the slopes of Mount Gerizim, listening to rousing sermons by Thaddeus, Osemus, and other leaders. Still there was no sign of Moses but Thaddeus believed his body or texts of other writings by him were hidden in the ruins. As men searched for cavities under the old foundations, women sang hymns and waved palm branches. As they worked, they became aware of dust on the horizon.

"Look, he's coming!" someone shouted.

The people turned to the dust clouds, eager to catch their first glimpses of Moses. Instead, Roman horsemen appeared, bearing down on them. They rode into the crowd of mostly women and children, spathas scything through flesh and bones. Terrified, the people turned and fled upslope to the temple ruins, trampling each other in the process. As the horsemen surrounded them, other soldiers appeared on foot and advanced into the huddled people who were begging for mercy, cutting down anyone that moved.

...

Flavius and Marcus Publius made their way to Cornelius' home. The door was open and friends, neighbors and acquaintances thronged the atrium. Peter should be arriving sometime today and would find a houseful waiting for him. Flavius approached Cornelius.

"Marcus is here," he said. "If you need the pool at our house, Father says it's yours. So is the smaller mikvah. Mother or Mara will have the keys."

Cornelius thanked him and he guided Marcus Publius to a bench.

"Whatever your uncles tell you, do," he said. "I'll be back."

As he left, he saw Longinus and his father coming in the door. Longinus had been on medical leave for weeks, and was just marking time until he could retire with an honorable discharge and full benefits. He appeared to be going downhill fast and Victoria suspected stomach or intestinal cancer. Flavius clapped him on the shoulder in greeting and left for the castrum.

He made his way there and opened the office door. Celidonius was teaching Cassillus about staff work. They sat at his old desk, Celidonius explaining where reports went, how letters were prepared, etc. Valerillus came in and went into a meeting with Rutellus. Another brand new Tribune named Aurelianus wandered in, looking lost. His mother was sister to Young Barca, making him a nephew and great-nephew to both the Barcii in Antioch and Gergovia. Aurelianus had an aptitude for cavalry but joined Celidonius at the desk. Flavius was pleased with both of his newbies. Hard workers, not above any assignment, they would pick up their skills quickly. A messenger approached him.

"His Excellency wants to see the entire command and senior staff at once," he said.

"Did he say why?" Flavius asked.

"Not to me."

Flavius could guess. Pilate would be aware of the gathering at Cornelius' home. The fact that the Camp Prefect and First Rank of II were unavailable today would piss him no end. Flavius found the rest of his staff and they left for the Governor's Residence.