Simon told Daniel he would have to occasionally serve a Roman in The Bronze Bow. Why was this required? In what manner would Daniel be required to...

In Chapter 11 of The Bronze Bow, Daniel's grandmother is buried, and Simon, the town's blacksmith, is the only one who comes to the "funeral feast." Simon, who has left his job as a blacksmith to follow Jesus, tells Daniel that it "weighs on [his] conscience that the smithy is closed." He offers Daniel the chance to run the blacksmith shop in his stead and to live in the attached house with his sister. Moved...

In Chapter 11 of The Bronze Bow, Daniel's grandmother is buried, and Simon, the town's blacksmith, is the only one who comes to the "funeral feast." Simon, who has left his job as a blacksmith to follow Jesus, tells Daniel that it "weighs on [his] conscience that the smithy is closed." He offers Daniel the chance to run the blacksmith shop in his stead and to live in the attached house with his sister. Moved by this generous offer because it presents him with a way to care for his sister, Daniel is ready to accept it. However, when Simon explains that Daniel will occasionally have to perform blacksmith business brought to him by a Roman legionary, Daniel balks, saying, "I will never serve a pig of a Roman!" Simon explains that it is necessary. If Daniel were to insult a Roman outright by refusing to do the smith work for him, the soldier could become angry and take revenge on not just Daniel, but anyone in the vicinity. According to Simon, "a single insult could cost half the lives in the town in the end." That is why Daniel will have to perform work, such as repairing broken harnesses or clasps, for any Roman who comes into the blacksmith shop.