The Julian Paradox Movie

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Essay written by Kurt Otto Peterson.

Essay

Gaius Crastinus

He was born in Spain around 85BC and enlisted in the Legions when Pompeius Magnus formed the 8th and 9th Legions (both Spanish). Some time later he transferred over to the 10th legion (known later as ‘The Famous 10th’) as a junior grade Centurion after Caesar asked for him by name. This was in 61BC when this legion was raised by Caesar, and Crastinus was in command of a cohort of 600 men.

He fought with Caesar all through the Gallic campaigns and he was there after the siege of Alesia when Vercingetorix surrendered to the republican legions after nine or ten years of constant fighting.
Earlier he commanded a cohort as it repelled an attempted a river crossing by the Helvetii (a Celtic tribe from what is today Switzerland or the Helvetian Federation) who wanted to migrate to Gaul through Roman territory.

Caesar considered Crastinus one of his best and bravest soldiers and as a result he promoted Crastinus to the rank of Prima Pilus or First Spear Centurion. This was a rank of exceptional prestige giving him command of the First Cohort, the most important in the Legion. With this rank he would have outranked all other Centurions and it was the highest rank an enlisted man could attain. He was afraid of nothing.

It is believed that in 49BC he retired a highly decorated and probably a reasonably wealthy man but then he re-enlisted at the outbreak of the Civil War where he lead a charge at Pharsalus in Greece as Evocati, which although not the last battle of the war was the deciding one. It was there that he received a sword thrust through his mouth ending the life of one of Caesar’s best, and most devoted Centurions.
After the battle Caesar ordered Crastinus’ body found and buried separately. This was an honour that had never been bestowed by a commanding officer. As well he received many more decorations for valour…all posthumously…a first in the history of the Legions. His burial site was discovered some years ago in Greece.

Caesar valued his Centurions above even his officers and knew them all by name, so for Gaius Crastinus to have been so respected by the great man meant that he must have been one hell of a soldier.

“Caesar, today I shall earn your gratitude, either living or dead”
RIP Gaius Crastinus