Chapter 1: The Cruelty of Crucifixion

The ancient world was acutely aware of the horrific nature of crucifixion. This method of execution was not merely a punishment; it was also a means of shaming the condemned. Typically, it was reserved for slaves and insurrectionists. The Bible recounts that this was the fate of Jesus Christ.

[Photo by Luis Quintero from Pexels]

Among the most brutal penalties in antiquity, crucifixion was regarded as inhumane even by notable figures like Cicero. Josephus Flavius claimed that the only death more terrible was being fed to wild animals. This form of execution was primarily inflicted on rebels and slaves convicted of grave offenses.

Crucifixion was in practice during the Roman Empire as early as the 3rd century BC; however, it is believed that the Romans adapted it from the Phoenicians. Some historians argue that its origin can be traced back to Persia, dating to the reign of Ki