Crucifixion In The Ancient World

The form of punishment, “crucifixion,” was commonly used in the ancient world in the Roman, Persian, Seleucids, and Carthaginian empires between the 6th center BCE to the 4th century CE. This was indeed a form of punishment deserved for the lowest of criminals. Prior to the actually crucifixion, individuals were whipped and thereupon had to carry the cross beam of their cross to the site of the crucifixion. The individual was then stripped of his clothing and bound to the cross beam by tightly wrapped straps or nails. The beam was then raised to approximately 9 to 12 feet in the air an attached to the upright shaft. The feet were then tightly wrapped or nailed to the shaft. At the top of the cross was a label that read the person’s name and

crime (Britannica).
The main reason for death was not normally from the whipping prior to the crucifixion, but the body weight that put strain on the arms resulting in irregular rate of breathing. “When nailed to the cross there was a massive strain put on the wrists, arms and shoulders often resulting in a dislocation of the shoulder and elbow joints” (Tribune and Triumph). This put the rib cage in a fixed position that limited the lungs. Individuals therefore could not take a full breath and severe pained ensued during inhaling and exhaling. “The victim would continually try to draw himself up by his feet to allow for inflation of the lungs enduring terrible pain in his feet and legs. The pain in the feet and legs became unbearable and the victim was forced to trade breathing for pain.” (Tribune and Triumph). This resulted in a slow death process until the victim would eventually die of “constrained blood circulation, organ failure, or asphyxiation (lack of oxygen to the brain) (Britannica). However, in some cases death would proceed quicker than others in the case of shock from the severe pain from the whipping or penetration of nails.