History Literature / CascaTheEternalMercenary

* ArtisticLicenseReligion: Jesus forces Casca to live a lifetime of Soldiering, even though it's clearly stated in Literature/TheBible, that God (and thus Jesus) cannot mess with mans free will. Then again, Cascas predicament is based on the medieval myth of the wandering Jew, who is also not biblical, so you probably can't blame Sadler.

* RatedMForManly

* FlatEarthAtheist: Met Jesus, received miracle, NOT A CHRISTIAN. (But given how he feels about his immortality, why would he worship the guy?)

Also, the protagonist's nickname should not be confused with the ''Manga/{{Berserk}}'' character of the same name (although she is named after him).

Also, the protagonist's nickname should not be confused with a certain mercenary from ''Manga/{{Berserk}}'' (although she is named after him).

Also, the protagonist's nickname should not be confused with a certain mercenary from ''Manga/Berserk'' (although she is named after him).

He then fights in virtually every major war that has occured in the past ''2000 years'', fighting alongside and against some of history's greatest generals and soldiers. Later on, he finds the "Brotherhood of the Lamb", a [[CargoCult pseudo-Christian cult that worships Casca's old spear]]. The Brotherhood keeps Casca in their sights until the Armageddon; though they may hate Casca for his actions on Golgotha, they must not prevent him from meeting their Lord. Casca Longinus is their path back to Christ and they will stop at nothing in keeping their most hated enemy in their sights for all time.

NeedsWikiMagicLove.

* DentedIron: Casca is immortal and has a HealingFactor. Still, depending on the severity of his wounds, he may still feel pain and require rest to heal. In ''Casca: The Damned'', Casca reminisces how he was [[ManOnFire burned at the stake]] by a Persian Vizier, and how he still can't sit near an open fire for long, or feel the smell of roasting meat without wanting to vomit. [[NightmareFuel Nice life.]]

* FlatEarthAtheist[=/=]NayTheist: Met Jesus, received miracle, NOT A CHRISTIAN. (But given how he feels about his immortality, why would he worship the guy?)

* WhoWantsToLiveForever Casca flucates between this and LivingForeverIsAwesome depending on his current situation. For the most part he does fully acknowledge the downsides and has his lows but at the same time seems rather satisfied in general with his lifespan.

* WhoWantsToLiveForever Casca's immortality angst is usually played straight, and entirely justified.

* {{Badass}}: An immortal Roman soldier with over 2000 years of combat experience, and counting? Yep, Casca is this.

* LongRunner: 34 novels since 1979, and still going. It seems the series might keep going to the Second Coming, just like Casca.

* BlackComedyRape: In ''Casca: The Trench Soldier'', Casca and Cockney Dave rape two French girls (who are insinuated to have [[NotIfTheyEnjoyedItRationalization enjoyed it.]]) After beating up the husband of the older girl, (the young one is his daughter) and tying him up. It's "justified" by the fact that since [[DisproportionateRetribution the man was physically fit and of military age, but was still operating a café as a civilian, he is probably a coward, who has bribed his way out of conspription and thus deserves it. Seriously.]]

* BeenThereShapedHistory: Casca has fought with/against everyone from [[UsefulNotes/{{Islam}} Mohammed]] to UsefulNotes/{{Blackbeard}}. Oh, and do you think [[spoiler: Hitler commited suicide in his bunker?]] Nope, Casca killed him.

* FlatEarthAtheist[=/=]NayTheist: Met Jesus, received miracle, NOT A CHRISTIAN.

NeedsMoreLove.

While the first book starts during [[VietnamWar the Vietnam War]], the series chronologically begins in Jerusalem, 30-something A.D. After Pontius Pilate hands Jesus over to the Jews, Casca Rufio Longinius is tasked with crucifying him. However, when Casca spears Jesus in the side "just to make sure", Jesus turns about to be [[NotQuiteDead less dead than the Bible would have you believe]]. Jesus then announces "Soldier, if you are content with what you are, then that is what you shall remain. As I return to my Father, so you shall return to me". Casca is then [[WanderingJew cursed to walk the earth]] until Jesus' second coming. What happens after that depends on his behavior, but judging by his behavior... who knows?

A paperback book series written from 1979 to the present day, ''Casca'' is a [[WanderingJew Wandering Jew]] series about Casey Romain, AKA Casca Rufio Longinius, AKA... the list goes on. While initially written by Barry Salder (of "Ballad of the Green Berets" fame), ghostwriters took up the job in the late '80s. After Sadler's death in 1989, other authors have written the rest, the most notable being Tony Roberts.