Which Legion was in Jerusalem 35. AD

[Charlie]

Could anyone please tell me the Legion/Auxilia that was stationed in Jerusalem around the time of Christ's crucifixion...say 35 AD? I know the 10th Legion was there around 69/70 AD when they destroyed the temple, but my research is unclear for 35 years earlier and there also seems to be a few different theories?
Thanks.

Marcellus

Phil
[url=http://www.philmckay.com][/url]

[jkaler48]

related topic;

http://www.romanarmytalk.com/rat.html?fu...&id=252365

[Charlie]

Thanks John,
I have looked at the thread any many others. I have also looked at some more research from various authors over the years and itseems there where a few Cohorts in Judaea at that time.
What Legion would these cohorts ( Ala I Sebastenorum, Cohors I Sebastenorum) have belonged to, as I am wanting to know what sort of legion/cohort identification I would paint on my shield I am building? Also I am decorating a an umbo and would like to know the emblem of that legion? e.g bull, boar, capricorn etc.
Appreciate any help.

Phil

[Jona Lendering]

I think the Sebastan cohorts can be ruled out. They were from Samaria. Writers like Matthew, with his interest for Jewish specifics, would have mentioned it if the soldiers killing Christ would have been Samaritans. Your options are (if I am right)

• Cohors Prima Italica Civium Romanorum
  
• Cohors Secunda Italica Civium Romanorum
  
• Cohors Prima Augusta
  

They were all raised in Italy, during the reign of Augustus. A capricorn would, therefore, not be out of place, although I admit that I have never seen an auxiliary shield with a capricorn.

[D B Campbell]

it seems there where a few Cohorts in Judaea at that time.

Josephus (Ant. Jud. 19, 365) refers to "the ala of the Caesareans and Sebastenans, and the five cohorts" in Judaea in AD 44. Lo and behold!, when Vespasian arrived in AD 67, he found "five cohorts and an ala of horsemen" at Caesarea (Bell. Jud. 3, 66).

As far as their identity is concerned, the speirê Sebastê of Acts 27:1, often translated as a cohors Sebastenorum, is probably simply the Greek version of cohors Augusta (perhaps cohors I Augusta Thracum). The author of Acts (10:1) also refers to a speirê Italikê, which is usually identified as cohors II Italica c.R.

Edit: The nearest legions were in Syria. The Judaean prefect did not have the authority to command legions.

[Charlie]

Thanks for the information...appreciate it.
So if then I went with Cohors Prima Augusta for example, how then would that be written on the shield, and the umbo....COH AVG ??

Jona you said a Capricorn for the emblem...is a Bull out of the question?

Thanks.