--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Esca tossed the slender papyrus roll onto…" description: "\"Esca tossed the slender papyrus roll onto the cot, and set his own hands over Marcus's. \"I have not served the Centurion because I was his slave,\" he s..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4ff/rosemary-sutcliff-19223_centurions_esca-tossed-the-slender-papyrus-roll-ont_747994.png" --- # Esca tossed the slender papyrus roll onto the cot, and set… ![“Esca tossed the slender papyrus roll onto the cot, and set his own hands over Marcus's. "I have not served the Centurion because I was his slave," he said, dropping unconsciously into the speech of his own people. "I have served Marcus, and it was not slave-service...my stomach will be glad when…” quote by Rosemary Sutcliff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4ff/rosemary-sutcliff-19223_centurions_esca-tossed-the-slender-papyrus-roll-ont_747994.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4ff/rosemary-sutcliff-19223_centurions_esca-tossed-the-slender-papyrus-roll-ont_747994.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4ff/rosemary-sutcliff-19223_centurions_esca-tossed-the-slender-papyrus-roll-ont_747994.png) > “Esca tossed the slender papyrus roll onto the cot, and set his own hands over Marcus's. "I have not served the Centurion because I was his slave," he said, dropping unconsciously into the speech of his own people. "I have served Marcus, and it was not slave-service...my stomach will be glad when we start on this hunting trail.” [Rosemary Sutcliff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosemary-sutcliff/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A character asserts his autonomy by serving a cause he chooses, not out of oppression, highlighting personal agency and honor. **In simple terms:** Serve by choice, not as a slave. Key Takeaway Choose causes that align with your values. Themes agency honor choice Mood thoughtful determined Type narrative philosophical When to use this quote - military service - volunteer work - personal decisions - ethical dilemmas Key Concepts historical fiction identity Questions to Reflect On - What cause would you serve willingly? - When does duty conflict with personal freedom? A Different Perspective Choosing a cause may still involve compromise. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Centurions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/centurions/) [Hunting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hunting/) [Papyrus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/papyrus/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Slave](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/slave/) [Speech](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/speech/) [Trails](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trails/) ## Related quotes > [The young Centurion, who had been completely still throughout, said very softly, as though to himself, "Greater love hath no man--" and Justin thought…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosemary-sutcliff/the-young-centurion-who-had-been-completely-still-throughout-said/) [Rosemary Sutcliff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosemary-sutcliff/) > [No," Frank said. "I'm only a centurion." Jason cursed in Latin. "He means he can't control a whole legion. He's not of high enough…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/no-frank-said-i-m-only-a-centurion-jason-cursed-in-latin-he-means-he/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [“But many details were considered too small and mundane for the Centurions' purposes. They tapped the mud too briefly for things like new-fangled coffee-makers…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vicki-pettersson/but-many-details-were-considered-too-small-and-mundane-for-the/) [Vicki Pettersson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vicki-pettersson/) > [ "Centurion" is probably one of my favorites \[of RZA Day \]. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/earl-sweatshirt/centurion-is-probably-one-of-my-favorites-of-rza-day/) [Earl Sweatshirt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/earl-sweatshirt/) > [If the people of God were to transform the world through fascination, these amazing teachings had to work at the center of these peculiar…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shane-claiborne/if-the-people-of-god-were-to-transform-the-world-through-fascination/) [Shane Claiborne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shane-claiborne/) > [The power of citizenship as a shield against oppression was widely known from the example of Paul 's Roman citizenship, which sent the centurion…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-h-jackson/the-power-of-citizenship-as-a-shield-against-oppression-was-widely/) [Robert H. Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-h-jackson/) > [In a word, we are like the servants of the centurion in the Gospel with regard to the bishops, insofar as when they say…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vincent-de-paul/in-a-word-we-are-like-the-servants-of-the-centurion-in-the-gospel/) [Vincent de Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vincent-de-paul/) > [“I’m not your slave,’ said Damen. ‘I’m a man.’ Don’t”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-pacat/i-m-not-your-slave-said-damen-i-m-a-man-don-t/) [C.S. Pacat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-pacat/) > [Film rights were in the offing for 'The Onion Field,' eventually made into a movie in 1979; 'The New Centurions' became a 1972 film…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-weinman/film-rights-were-in-the-offing-for-the-onion-field-eventually-made/) [Sarah Weinman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-weinman/) > [“There was no slave,’ said Laurent. ‘He never existed. I don’t know what manner of man stands before me now. All I know is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-pacat/there-was-no-slave-said-laurent-he-never-existed-i-don-t-know-what/) [C.S. Pacat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-pacat/) > [“They want the centurions not so much to be venturesome and daredevils, as to be natural leaders, of a steady and reliable spirit. They…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/polybius/they-want-the-centurions-not-so-much-to-be-venturesome-and-daredevils/) [Polybius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/polybius/) > [“Anybody that competes with slaves becomes a slave," said Harrison thickly, and he left.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kurt-vonnegut/anybody-that-competes-with-slaves-becomes-a-slave-said-harrison/) [Kurt Vonnegut](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kurt-vonnegut/) > [“Julius waited stone-faced as the other centurions scattered to their centuries, eager to make sure their men were ready for a forced march, none…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-riches/julius-waited-stone-faced-as-the-other-centurions-scattered-to-their/) [Anthony Riches](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-riches/) > [“I didn’t believe that these nice liberals would have missed seeing the film 12 Years a Slave, in which Solomon Northup’s friend Patsey was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-brazile/i-didn-t-believe-that-these-nice-liberals-would-have-missed-seeing/) [Donna Brazile](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-brazile/) > [Carl Furillo was pure ballplayer. In his prime he stood six feet tall and weighed 190 pounds and there was a fluidity to his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-kahn/carl-furillo-was-pure-ballplayer-in-his-prime-he-stood-six-feet-tall/) [Roger Kahn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-kahn/) ## More by Rosemary Sutcliff > [“Always, in these times, I am wretched save when sleep comes to me. Therefore, I have come to look upon sleep as the best…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosemary-sutcliff/always-in-these-times-i-am-wretched-save-when-sleep-comes-to-me/) [Rosemary Sutcliff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosemary-sutcliff/) > [“See now, for a good blade, one that will not betray the man in battle, rods of hard and soft iron must be heated…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosemary-sutcliff/see-now-for-a-good-blade-one-that-will-not-betray-the-man-in-battle/) [Rosemary Sutcliff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosemary-sutcliff/) > [“So Aquila took his father’s service upon him. It wasn’t as good as love; it wasn’t as good as hate; but it was something…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosemary-sutcliff/so-aquila-took-his-father-s-service-upon-him-it-wasn-t-as-good-as/) [Rosemary Sutcliff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosemary-sutcliff/) > [“Who so pulleth out this sword from this stone and anvil is trueborn King of all Britain.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosemary-sutcliff/who-so-pulleth-out-this-sword-from-this-stone-and-anvil-is-trueborn/) [Rosemary Sutcliff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosemary-sutcliff/) > [But tonight, because Rome had fallen and Felix was dead, because of Valerius’s shame, the empty hut seemed horribly lonely, and there was a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosemary-sutcliff/but-tonight-because-rome-had-fallen-and-felix-was-dead-because-of/) [Rosemary Sutcliff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosemary-sutcliff/) > [...extraordinarily beautiful, and slightly out of focus.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosemary-sutcliff/extraordinarily-beautiful-and-slightly-out-of-focus/) [Rosemary Sutcliff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosemary-sutcliff/) > [“The gilded wreaths and crowns that the Legion had won in the days of its honour were gone from the crimson-bound staff; the furious…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosemary-sutcliff/the-gilded-wreaths-and-crowns-that-the-legion-had-won-in-the-days-of/) [Rosemary Sutcliff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosemary-sutcliff/) > [Better to be a laughing-stock than lose the fort for fear of being one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosemary-sutcliff/better-to-be-a-laughing-stock-than-lose-the-fort-for-fear-of-being-one/) [Rosemary Sutcliff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosemary-sutcliff/) > [“Let you sing of us all by name, that we may live as long as the song." "All three hundred of you?" Aneirin said,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosemary-sutcliff/let-you-sing-of-us-all-by-name-that-we-may-live-as-long-as-the-song/) [Rosemary Sutcliff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosemary-sutcliff/) > [“That is our Shield Ring, our last stronghold; not the barrier fells and the totter-moss between, but something in the hearts of men.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosemary-sutcliff/that-is-our-shield-ring-our-last-stronghold-not-the-barrier-fells-and/) [Rosemary Sutcliff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosemary-sutcliff/) > [“Before he left Rome, Marcus had been in a fair way to becoming a charioteer, in Cradoc's sense of the word, and now desire…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosemary-sutcliff/before-he-left-rome-marcus-had-been-in-a-fair-way-to-becoming-a/) [Rosemary Sutcliff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosemary-sutcliff/) > [“And out of Tristan's heart there grew a hazel tree, and out of Iseult's a honeysuckle, and they arched together and clung and intertwined…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosemary-sutcliff/and-out-of-tristan-s-heart-there-grew-a-hazel-tree-and-out-of-iseult/) [Rosemary Sutcliff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosemary-sutcliff/) > [“I have provided a possible explanation for Antiochus's insane foolhardiness when left in command of the Athenian Fleet, because Thucidides's bald account is so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosemary-sutcliff/i-have-provided-a-possible-explanation-for-antiochus-s-insane/) [Rosemary Sutcliff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosemary-sutcliff/) > [“It is very hot tonight," Justin said, and loosed the folds of his light cloak, revealing the sprig of rye-grass thrust through the bronze…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosemary-sutcliff/it-is-very-hot-tonight-justin-said-and-loosed-the-folds-of-his-light/) [Rosemary Sutcliff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosemary-sutcliff/) > [“For a moment they stood looking at each other in the firelight, while the old harper still fingered the shining strings and the other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosemary-sutcliff/for-a-moment-they-stood-looking-at-each-other-in-the-firelight-while/) [Rosemary Sutcliff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosemary-sutcliff/) [Explore all 33 Rosemary Sutcliff quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosemary-sutcliff/) ## More Centurions quotes > [“Julius waited stone-faced as the other centurions scattered to their centuries, eager to make sure their men were ready for a forced march, none…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-riches/julius-waited-stone-faced-as-the-other-centurions-scattered-to-their/) [Anthony Riches](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-riches/) > [“They want the centurions not so much to be venturesome and daredevils, as to be natural leaders, of a steady and reliable spirit. They…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/polybius/they-want-the-centurions-not-so-much-to-be-venturesome-and-daredevils/) [Polybius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/polybius/) > [Film rights were in the offing for 'The Onion Field,' eventually made into a movie in 1979; 'The New Centurions' became a 1972 film…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-weinman/film-rights-were-in-the-offing-for-the-onion-field-eventually-made/) [Sarah Weinman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-weinman/) > [The young Centurion, who had been completely still throughout, said very softly, as though to himself, "Greater love hath no man--" and Justin thought…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosemary-sutcliff/the-young-centurion-who-had-been-completely-still-throughout-said/) [Rosemary Sutcliff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosemary-sutcliff/) > [In a word, we are like the servants of the centurion in the Gospel with regard to the bishops, insofar as when they say…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vincent-de-paul/in-a-word-we-are-like-the-servants-of-the-centurion-in-the-gospel/) [Vincent de Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vincent-de-paul/) > [The power of citizenship as a shield against oppression was widely known from the example of Paul 's Roman citizenship, which sent the centurion…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-h-jackson/the-power-of-citizenship-as-a-shield-against-oppression-was-widely/) [Robert H. Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-h-jackson/) > [If the people of God were to transform the world through fascination, these amazing teachings had to work at the center of these peculiar…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shane-claiborne/if-the-people-of-god-were-to-transform-the-world-through-fascination/) [Shane Claiborne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shane-claiborne/) > [ "Centurion" is probably one of my favorites \[of RZA Day \]. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/earl-sweatshirt/centurion-is-probably-one-of-my-favorites-of-rza-day/) [Earl Sweatshirt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/earl-sweatshirt/) > [“But many details were considered too small and mundane for the Centurions' purposes. They tapped the mud too briefly for things like new-fangled coffee-makers…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vicki-pettersson/but-many-details-were-considered-too-small-and-mundane-for-the/) [Vicki Pettersson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vicki-pettersson/) > [No," Frank said. "I'm only a centurion." Jason cursed in Latin. "He means he can't control a whole legion. He's not of high enough…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/no-frank-said-i-m-only-a-centurion-jason-cursed-in-latin-he-means-he/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [Carl Furillo was pure ballplayer. In his prime he stood six feet tall and weighed 190 pounds and there was a fluidity to his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-kahn/carl-furillo-was-pure-ballplayer-in-his-prime-he-stood-six-feet-tall/) [Roger Kahn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-kahn/) [Browse all 12 Centurions quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/centurions/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Esca tossed the slender papyrus roll onto the cot, and set his own hands over Marcus's. \"I have not served the Centurion because I was his slave,\" he said, dropping unconsciously into the speech of his own people. \"I have served Marcus, and it was not slave-service...my stomach will be glad when we start on this hunting trail.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Rosemary Sutcliff" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosemary-sutcliff/esca-tossed-the-slender-papyrus-roll-onto-the-cot-and-set-his-own/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Centurions" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosemary-sutcliff/esca-tossed-the-slender-papyrus-roll-onto-the-cot-and-set-his-own/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4ff/rosemary-sutcliff-19223_centurions_esca-tossed-the-slender-papyrus-roll-ont_747994.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4ff/rosemary-sutcliff-19223_centurions_esca-tossed-the-slender-papyrus-roll-ont_747994.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4ff/rosemary-sutcliff-19223_centurions_esca-tossed-the-slender-papyrus-roll-ont_747994.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Esca tossed the slender papyrus roll onto the cot, and set his own hands over Marcus's. \"I have not served…” — Rosemary Sutcliff", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Rosemary Sutcliff", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosemary-sutcliff/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Esca tossed the slender papyrus roll...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosemary-sutcliff/esca-tossed-the-slender-papyrus-roll-onto-the-cot-and-set-his-own/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosemary-sutcliff/esca-tossed-the-slender-papyrus-roll-onto-the-cot-and-set-his-own/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```