Crucifixion: Origin, History, and Method of Punishment

Used and Edited by Permission for Fr. Tom Hart

Copyright 1999

Presented for World Religions

By: Shane N. Sirianni

4.27.1999

The Definition

Pronunciation: "krü-s&-'fik-sh&n”

Function: noun1 a capitalized : the crucifying of Christ b : the act of crucifying2 : extreme and painful punishment,

affliction, or suffering

Crucifixion: cru·ci·fix·ion

Origins of Crucifixion

• Found in written texts as early as 475 B.C.

• Believed to have been started by Persians and used in Egypt and Carthage.

• Greeks adopted form of crucifixion.• Romans perfected it as a torture designed to

produce maximum pain and a slow death.

Reason for crucifixion

• Enemies of government

• Radicals

• Treason (Slave treason)

• Crimes against state

• Religious treason

• Intimidation (Slaves & Rebels)

• Thievery

The Method of Crucifixion

• Victim was sentenced

• Flogged

• Taken to public viewing location

• Feet nailed, arms tied/nailed to cross

Crucifixion Experience

• Flogged with leather whip with steel tips• Carry *own cross from prison to execution site• Nails are used to attach victims feet/wrists to

cross. Usually took 3-4 hammer hits per appendage

• Improper placement of nails caused victims to rip from nail; Had to be re-nailed

• Legs were broken if death to hasten wait; Legs couldn’t support body and suffocation lead to death

Crucifixion Experience Cont’d• Length of suffering per victim was determined by soldiers

in charge; (3-4 hours - 3-4 days)• Insects would light upon or burrow into the open wounds

or the eyes, ears, and nose of the dying; birds of prey would tear at these sites while victim was alive.

• Most died of suffocation, dehydration, exhaustion, shock, blood clots

• Soldiers must wait until victim died before leaving; Soldiers would spear victims to test for death

• Victim rarely was allowed to be taken down after death to be buried; Usually left on cross to be consumed by birds & animals and remains left to rot

Crucifixion in History• The crucifixion of 6,000 followers of Spartacus along

the Appian Way [~ 71 BC]

• Alexander the Great had 2,000 survivors from the siege of Tyre crucified on the shores of the Mediterranean

• Used commonly to discourage slave revolts in early times [~100BC]

• Jesus of Nazareth was crucified by Pilate Friday, April *7th, 30 A.D.

• (?) King Antiochus Epiphanes crucified thousands of Jews. Jews retaliated with Maccabean revolt [37-95A.D]

Depiction off masscrucifixion of Sparticus followers along Appian Way in 71 B.C.

Peter Connally

Crucifixion of Jesus of Nazareth

Jesus of Nazareth

• Crucified on grounds of a religious rebellious figure against Roman authority

• Suffered typical crucifixion of times – Flogged– Carried own cross

• Nailed through hands and feet

• Died after several hours on cross

• Was allowed to be buried

Crucifixion of Jesus of Nazareth Study by JAMA (JAMA 1986;255:1455-1463)

• Flogging Effects

– Deep stripe-like lacerations – Massive blood loss– Onset of hypovolemic shock

• Crucifixion– Hemorrhaging into the sweat glands

– Extreme exhaustion– Punctures through carpals of wrist and feet

• Died within 4 hours of crucifixion

• Most Likely causes of Death for Jesus– Heart Attack/Stroke– Suffocation– Cardiac Rupture– Hypovolemic Shock

• Speared in Lung

Crucifixion of Jesus of Nazareth Study by JAMA (JAMA 1986;255:1455-1463)

Art work of the Crucifixion of Jesus of Nazareth

Pablo Ruiz PicassoPablo Ruiz Picasso

La crucifixion (1915-18)

CRANACH,

Lucas the Elder

The Crucifixion

(1500-03)

RAFFAELLO SantiChrist Falls on the Way to Calvary1517

ANDREA DA FIRENZECrucifixion (detail)1365-68

BREU

Jörg the ElderCrucifixion(1524)

Shroud of Turin

Shroud of Turin

Actual Picture Negative Image•Contains image of crucified body•Hands & feet contain crucifixion marks•Believed to be the burial shroud of Jesus of Nazareth•Scientific proof is inconclusive of dating, authenticity

End of Crucifixion

End of Crucifixion

• Crucifixions were abolished by Constantine, in 337 A.D.

• Estimated 50,000-100,000 deaths by crucifixion from 500B.C.-330A.D.

Conclusion of Crucifixion

Conclusion of Crucifixion

• Introduced around 500BC by Persians

• Alexander the Great adopts crucifixion for Greeks

• Roman Empire adopts crucifixion to control slaves

• Roman occupation of Palestine uses crucifixion for religious and political persecution.

• Jesus of Nazareth is crucified Friday, April 7th, 30 AD.

• Constantine abolishes crucifixion in 337 A.D.

Websites for further information

• Crucifixion as a Death Penalty - http://www.mindspring.com/~stjoseph/crucifix.html

• Crucufixion Antiquity - http://www.centuryone.com/crucifixion2.html

• Shroud of Turin - http://www.shroudofturin.com