RUFUS:
Roman general in the first century of the common era. In the battles after Herod's death the Romans were assisted against the Jews by the 3,000 "men of Sebaste," the flower of the royal army and a troop which afterward became famous. The cavalry in this body was led by Rufus (Josephus, "B. J." ii. 3, § 4), while the infantry was under the command of Gratus. Rufus and Gratus maintained their resistance until the legate Varus appeared in Jerusalem with reenforcements (ib. 5, § 2; comp. idem, "Ant." xvii. 10, § 3).
