 |
       |
|
   |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
        |
 WHAT IS CRUCIFIXION? We may think of crucifixion as a Roman punishment today, but it was also practised by the ancient Persians, Indians, Assyrians, Carthaginians and Greeks. Crucifixion usually involved flogging, carrying the cross-beam (the horizontal bar) to a public place of execution, and being tied or nailed to the cross. It was an exceptionally painful and shameful way to die, often lasting for days. It was normal for passersby to verbally abuse the person being crucified. It was considered too bad a punishment for Roman citizens, but the Romans crucified many thousands of slaves and foreigners. It had special a stigma for Jewish people, because of a verse in the Bible which says: "Anyone who is hung on a tree is cursed by God". More questions about Jesus' death |
Picture: the Isenheim Altarpiece, by Matthias Grünewald, painted in the 16th century. |
|
|
|
|
|
|