I am unaware of that specific punishment for that particular transgression, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t listed somewhere. The Romans were indeed brutal in their punishments, including when they ‘allow’ prisoners to escape on their watch. You can find several instances where severe punishment, including death, is meted out to those who failed in their guarding duties.

I discuss several examples here:
http://sntjohnny.com/front/guards-at-the-tomb-the-discipline-of-the-roman-soldier/2201.html

In that link I refer to Currie’s “Military Discipline of the Romans” (ISBN: 978-1936830-99-2) which is about as comprehensive of a list as you are going to find, but even he only offers summaries. If someone tracked down the full text of the incidents he described, you may in fact find guard burned alive in their armor. I see in one case, a deserter was burned, but without tracking down the full text, I can’t say whether it was in his armor or out of it.

My suggestion would be to start with my own link above and then pick up Currie’s book and roll up your sleeve. The evidence you seek may very well be out there. Let me know if you find it!

Good day beloved,

I pray you a Blessed 2019, & that this communication finds you well.

I have heard it told that Roman Guards we’re burned alive in their armor for ‘allowing’ prisoners to escape on their watch. I have been unable to find any evidence of this in my research.

Have you found this?

If so, where may I find it?

Your sister in Christ Jesus,
Celeste

If there is anything like that in the historical record, it won’t be in Josephus. Josephus only has a couple of references to Jesus. Such a story would stand out. 🙂 Perhaps you’re thinking of another source. I’d be interested in hearing it, if you can find it.

Thanks for your comment!
Anthony

Just stumbled on your forum and not sure if you’ve covered this already but I believe the pharisaic historian, Flavius Josephus quoted that there were 1,000 Jewish guards at Our Lord’s tomb?

Apparently the High priests had demanded a large contingent of Roman guards and Pilate waived them off, granting only 30 men.

Can you imagine, the grief and stress our Blessed Mother had to undergo, being under the scrutiny of those guards during the burial preparations?

And then, the fantastic image of 1,000 jew guards being knocked down and running away in fear at Our Lord’s Resurrection.

The 1,000 number, of God’s chosen who failed to believe in the Christ, seems fitting & just.

God bless you.
Edmond