What was crucification?

Answer 1

Crucifixion was a method of execution employed by the Roman Empire to use against non-Roman citizens. During times of peace the method had to be approved by an official (Judges, Magistrates, Consul, Governors, etc) but during times of war any enemy of the state could be crucified on site. In fact during the seige of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. the General Titus (Vespatian's son) had rows of crucified Jews all across the front walls of the city.

In general it is a slow and painful form of execution. Early on prisoners and criminals were hung from poles or trees. As the Roman empire perfected the practice of crosses called crux commissa (beams fashioned in the shape of an lower case t) were utilized. This practiced enabled the Romans to further punish the prisoner by forcing them to carry their own patibulum (cross beam) to the site of their execution.

The Romans tied or nailed the victim's wrists (often after much beating) to the cross beam, and nailed the feet to the mast beam. Having the victim's arms slightly above the lungs caused the lungs to collapse and made breathing impossible. The victim would have to press up with his/her legs to alleviate the pressure in the lungs. While the condemned could now breath, the pain in the legs would be caused by the full weight of the body resting on the nail through the victim's feet. Victims could survive for days dancing this agonizing ballet. When the Roman soldier wished they could break the legs of the crucified person to ensure a quicker suffocation.

If the prisoner was scourged prior to the crucifixion severe blood loss (orthostatic hypotension) could carry the victim to death. However, before a body was released to family by the judge the Roman soldier must first pierce the heart of the prisoner to ensure death.

Historically crucifixion began with the Persian empire tying victims to trees or impaling them on posts to keep their feet from touching holy grounds. This practice was picked up by Carthage and in turn by Rome. While it has been illegalized in Rome there are a few places who still practice the event, not as an executive measure but as a religious rememberance. Two of such places are in Mexico (Flagellants called the Hermanos de Luz) and also in Quezon City in the Phillipines.

Answer 2

Crucifixion means to execute a person by nailing or binding them to a cross.

Answer 3

Crucification was the Romans form of execution.