The Roman Governor of Judaea

By Norbert Mercado

Book III of "In The Shadow Of The Roman Empire" explores the story of the Roman Governor of Judaea's struggle between political survival and deliverance of justice for the innocent.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Norbert Mercado
• Release date: Apr 14, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301812653

Norbert Mercado

"In this age of revolution, the contemporary writer should utilize the pen for the preservation of peace," Norbert Mercado, a Filipino author, stressed. The books he has written and published, including his anthologies, unapologetically assert the indispensability of peace in a nation’s progress. The author has written more novels than any Asian writer had in just a brief period of time. In fact, he has surpassed the number of novels written by world-renowned novelists like Russian author Alexander Solzhenitsyn (winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature, 1970) and American authors Ernest Hemingway (winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature, 1954). Solzhenitsyn has four novels to his credit, while Hemingway has eight. His style of writing is simple and succinct, but poignant and colorful like Hemingway’s THE OLD MAN AND THE SEA, and Solzhenitsyn’s ONE DAY IN THE LIFE OF IVAN DESONOVICH. "The simpler the novel, the better," he said. In line with Japanese Yasunari Kabawata’s writings about the Japanese way of life, most of Norbert’s novels focus mostly on the current situation in his country. Kabawata is the winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1968. His books present hope to the Filipino, especially to the "economic exiles" in Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan whom he has spent most of his time with, in their daily struggles. But most of all, his novels lucidly show the futility of war and violence in the resolution of political-economic-class conflicts in the Philippines. "War should not be used as an instrument in resolving political conflicts. Writers who abet wars and revolutions must think of the widows and the fatherless, the chaos, destruction, and suffering of the people whom they claim to be concerned about," he said. What if, like Solzhenitsyn, Hemingway, and Kabawata, he eventually wins the Nobel Prize? What will he do with the US$1,000,000 award? "I will use the prize for establishing a Peace Foundation that will assist in the formulation of policies which will resolve the current shooting conflicts in the country and help alleviate the continuing poverty of our countrymen." He will take charge of the foundation and personally campaign for a peaceful settlement of the conflicts in the Philippines. "The insurgency and the secessionist rebellion have foreign support. A Nobel title will give me the personality to approach the leaders involved in the conflicts," he explained. Born on March 25, 1955, he is the youngest among the children of Mr. and Mrs. Aurelio Mercado, Sr. of San Manuel, Tarlac. He graduated from the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City, with two degrees, Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Bachelor of Arts in Broadcast Communication. Voted Outstanding Campus Journalist in 1974, he was a columnist and associate editor of the Philippine Collegian, the campus publication of the University of the Philippines. He has also written articles for various newspapers and magazines in the Philippines, as well as abroad. He also won the 1981 National Essay Writing Contest sponsored by SIDESTREETS Magazine. Norbert is a graduate of the National Defense College of the Philippines (NDCP), the topmost armed forces school in the country, where he was conferred a Master’s degree in National Security Administration (MNSA) and the rank of Lt. Colonel in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). He graduated from the NDCP at the age of 32, the youngest in Class 21 which had already produced several generals in the Armed Forces, and the youngest graduate in the history of the National Defense College of the Philippines. He was elected one of the fifteen directors of Class 21. He was conferred the degree of Doctor of Divinity (Applied Servanthood), Honoris Causa, for his almost 30 years work in Christian literature. His batch mates include Senator Robert Barbers, Undersecretary of Trade and Industry and Bulletin Columnist Nelly Villafuerte, Actor and Producer Fred Galang, Rev. Peter Vasaya, and the His Royal Highness Sultan of Sulu and Sabah Ishmael Kiram. A sports lover, he was a rifle marksman in his UP ROTC days, and a winner of the 1988 and 1989 5,000 meter-run sponsored by the National Defense College Alumni Association. His sports include swimming, basketball, volleyball, boxing, karate, cycling, and marathon among others. A traveler, he has attended various international conferences and trainings in Asia and Europe. His travels have widened his insight not only of places, but also of people he has constantly observed and empathized with. He is the youngest graduate of the Singapore Haggai Institute for Third World Leaders in 1980 at the age of 24. "Let us work for peace in our country, in any way we can," Norbert stressed. Jesus said, "Blessed are the peacemakers." Ria M. Mercado

Book preview

IN CAESAREA

"Caesarea is a safer place for the Romans than Jerusalem. Jerusalem is too far from the Mediterranean Sea where our warships and commercial ships can dock," Centurion Flavius Cratus said to his deputy commander Lucius Marcellus.

Definitely, Sir. Making Caesarea as our headquarters is more convenient for us and for the military governors of Judaea. The supply of food here in Caesarea is better than in Jerusalem. Fish is abundant and less expensive here than in Jerusalem, Lucius Marcellus said.

Is the cavalry ready for our trip to Jerusalem tomorrow morning? Centurion Flavius Cratus asked.

Yes, Sir! Lucius Marcellus answered.

The governor called for me yesterday. He said he and the governess want to leave for Jerusalem at daybreak, the centurion said.

That’s even better, Sir. If we leave at daybreak, we can reach Jerusalem before noon. The roads are also safer now since the capture of Barabbas. I doubt whether those who survived among the insurrectionists still have the capability to stage an ambush after the defeat they suffered last month. They are probably in hiding now, Lucius Marcellus said.

No more! The caravan raids should no longer take place. Barabbas is finished and so is his rebel movement. The zealots are done for! the centurion said.

Marcus Aurelius is a military genius. He captured Barabbas in such a short span of time since he arrived from Rome, and in such a daring fashion! Lucius Marcellus said.

Would Emperor Tiberius send him here if he was not brilliant? I don’t think so. Emperor Tiberius is the best general the Roman Empire has produced. So he would definitely choose the best commanders for the Roman provinces, Flavius Cratus said.

Sir, you told me before that Caesar Augustus is the best general that the empire has produced. What made you change your mind? Lucius Marcellus mischievously asked his commander.

Lucius, how old are you?

Sir, I’m thirty-five years old, Lucius replied.

You are young and bright. Now, if you want to have a good career, you should know when to hold your tongue. That is, if you want to survive and have a bright career. So, you have to believe me when I tell you that Emperor Tiberius is the best general of the Roman Empire! Do you understand? Flavius Cratus asked.

Of course, Sir! I understand that now, very well, Lucius Marcellus answered.

Good! If you understand that by heart, in the future, you might also become a general of the empire! Otherwise, there’s nowhere for you to go but down, Flavius Cratus advised his deputy commander.

Yes, Sir! I will remember your advice, Sir, Lucius Marcellus replied.

Do that and you will prosper! Besides, what can you get out of criticizing our emperor? Do you wish to be crucified like the criminals that we put to death here in Caesarea? Treason is punishable by death. But flattery is not a crime. Is it, Lucius? Flavius Cratus asked.

No, Sir! It is not.

So, when I say that Emperor Tiberius is the best general the Roman Empire has produced, I’m not committing a crime! Right, Lucius?

You’re right, Sir. And truly, Emperor Tiberius is a better general than Emperor Augustus. If I remember correctly, Sir, wasn’t it during the time of Emperor Augustus when the Roman Empire suffered its humiliating defeat in the hands of the barbarians at Teutoburg Forest in Germania? Lucius Marcellus asked his commander.

"Yes it was! But don’t you dare say that in public. You only say that to fellow soldiers or officers like myself who have a lot of experience and wisdom. The Roman army has never suffered a humiliating defeat. We only committed a tactical error. You got that, Lucius?"

I got it, Sir!

"Good! Always say the good things. By the way, I don’t flatter. That is only your impression. I always tell the truth, and if I don’t, then all I’ve done is commit a tactical error," Flavius Cratus stressed.

Lucius Marcellus smiled at his commander.

Sir, you can become a philosopher! Lucius Marcellus said.

When I retire from the army, I think I’ll aspire to become a philosopher. You’ve heard of the story of Alexander the Great and his philosopher mentor, have you not, Lucius?

No, I haven’t, Sir. Can you tell me about it?

I will, but not right now… You better check on the preparedness of our cavalry. As I have said earlier, the governor and the governess want to begin travelling at daybreak. So make sure we are ready for the journey. Got that, Lucius?

Yes, Sir!

And he asked permission to leave from his commander’s presence.

But before leaving Centurion Flavius Cratus, Lucius Marcellus told him, "Sir,