In the days of the Roman Empire, Animuss family was not landowners, but part of the land with the forests and fields. Animus has never been away from home. But when the land can no longer support his family, he travels to Tarsus to join Pompeys navy and fights in the war against Cilician pirates threatening grain shipments and other goods destined for Rome. After Animus sets into motion events that ultimately transform him into a landowner and lift his family from poverty, his son, Cyrus, attends the University of Tarsus, marries well, and provides an environment that further prepares his own son, Cornelius, for his destiny. When Cornelius joins the Roman legion and becomes First Centurion of the Tenth Legion under Pontius Pilate, he befriends Jesus. The intertwining paths of these two men bring them together for a final encounter when Cornelius requests that Pilate put him in command of the crucifixion party. The Centurion: A Tale of the Crucifixion traces three generations in an adventurous, thought-provoking story as a Roman soldier sets out on a journey of self-discovery to meet his destiny.