Crucifixion was a form of capitol punishment used commonly by the Seleucids, Carthaginians, and Romans from about the 6th century BC to the 4th century AD. In crucifixion a person is nailed or tied to a cross or other frame and left to hang until dead. Thousands of people faced this painful death over the centuries.
The converted Christian Emperor Constantine I banned crucifixion in the Roman Empire in the year 337 in honor of Jesus Christ, who was crucified, according to Christian belief. The crucifixion of Christ is a key element in the Christian religion. Muslims, who also honor Jesus as a holy prophet, do not believe that Christ was crucified, but believe he was taken up to heaven without having died.