Quaternion
Summary
A quaternion was a Roman military unit consisting of four soldiers, with four such squads assigned to guard Peter in prison, taking turns through the four watches of the night.
☩Military Organization
The quaternion was a standard detachment of four soldiers used for guard duty in the Roman military system. This number corresponded to the Roman division of the night into four watches of three hours each, allowing a fresh squad to take over at each change of watch. The arrangement ensured continuous vigilance without fatiguing any single group of soldiers.
☩Peter's Imprisonment
When Herod Agrippa I arrested Peter, he assigned four quaternions—sixteen soldiers total—to guard the apostle in the fortress Antonia. Two soldiers were chained to Peter within his cell, one on each side, while the other two stood guard outside the door. These outer guards are described as 'the first and second guard' that Peter and the angel passed on the way to freedom. This heavy security reflected Herod's determination to prevent any escape, especially after he had already executed James the brother of John.
☩Similar Usage
The same practice of assigning four soldiers appears at Christ's crucifixion, where four soldiers divided His garments among themselves, each taking a share. This standard deployment of soldiers in groups of four was common throughout the Roman military establishment.
Related Verses1 mention
Acts· 1 verse
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Quaternion," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. VIII (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Quaternion," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. IV (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.James Hastings (ed.), "Quaternion," in Dictionary of the Apostolic Church, vol. II (T. & T. Clark, 1915–1918).
- 4.James Hastings (ed.), "Quaternion," in Dictionary of Christ and the Gospels, vol. II (T. & T. Clark, 1906–1908).