1. Crucifixion: Origin, History, and Method of Punishment
Used and Edited by Permission for Fr. Tom Hart
Copyright 1999
Presented for World Religions
By: Shane N. Sirianni

2. The Definition Crucifixion: cru·ci·fix·ion
Pronunciation: "krü-s&-'fik-sh&n”
Function: noun 1 a capitalized : the crucifying of Christ b : the act of crucifying 2 : extreme and painful punishment, affliction, or suffering

3. Origins of Crucifixion
Found in written texts as early as 475 B.C.
Believed to have been started by Persians and used in Egypt and Carthage.
Greeks adopted form of crucifixion.
Romans perfected it as a torture designed to produce maximum pain and a slow death.

4. Reason for crucifixion
Enemies of government
Radicals
Treason (Slave treason)
Crimes against state
Religious treason
Intimidation (Slaves & Rebels)
Thievery

5. The Method of Crucifixion
Victim was sentenced
Flogged
Taken to public viewing location
Feet nailed, arms tied/nailed to cross

6. Crucifixion Experience
Flogged with leather whip with steel tips
Carry *own cross from prison to execution site
Nails are used to attach victims feet/wrists to cross. Usually took 3-4 hammer hits per appendage
Improper placement of nails caused victims to rip from nail; Had to be re-nailed
Legs were broken if death to hasten wait; Legs couldn’t support body and suffocation lead to death
It would have been the cross bar.

7. Crucifixion Experience Cont’d
Length of suffering per victim was determined by soldiers in charge; (3-4 hours days)
Insects would light upon or burrow into the open wounds or the eyes, ears, and nose of the dying; birds of prey would tear at these sites while victim was alive.
Most died of suffocation, dehydration, exhaustion, shock, blood clots
Soldiers must wait until victim died before leaving; Soldiers would spear victims to test for death
Victim rarely was allowed to be taken down after death to be buried; Usually left on cross to be consumed by birds & animals and remains left to rot

8. Crucifixion in History
The crucifixion of 6,000 followers of Spartacus along the Appian Way [~ 71 BC]
Alexander the Great had 2,000 survivors from the siege of Tyre crucified on the shores of the Mediterranean
Used commonly to discourage slave revolts in early times [~100BC]
Jesus of Nazareth was crucified by Pilate Friday, April *7th, 30 A.D.
(?) King Antiochus Epiphanes crucified thousands of Jews. Jews retaliated with Maccabean revolt [37-95A.D]

9. Depiction off mass
crucifixion of Sparticus
followers along Appian Way in 71 B.C.
Peter Connally

10. Crucifixion of Jesus of Nazareth

11. Jesus of Nazareth
Crucified on grounds of a religious rebellious figure against Roman authority
Suffered typical crucifixion of times
Flogged
Carried own cross
Nailed through hands and feet
Died after several hours on cross
Was allowed to be buried

12. Crucifixion of Jesus of Nazareth Study by JAMA (JAMA 1986;255:1455-1463)
Flogging Effects
Deep stripe-like lacerations
Massive blood loss
Onset of hypovolemic shock
Crucifixion
Hemorrhaging into the sweat glands
Extreme exhaustion
Punctures through carpals of wrist and feet

13. Crucifixion of Jesus of Nazareth Study by JAMA (JAMA 1986;255:1455-1463)
Died within 4 hours of crucifixion
Most Likely causes of Death for Jesus
Heart Attack/Stroke
Suffocation
Cardiac Rupture
Hypovolemic Shock
Speared in Lung

14. Art work of the Crucifixion of Jesus of Nazareth

15. Pablo Ruiz Picasso
La crucifixion
( )

16. CRANACH,
Lucas the Elder
The Crucifixion
( )

17. RAFFAELLO Santi Christ Falls on the Way to Calvary 1517

18. ANDREA DA FIRENZE Crucifixion (detail) 1365-68

19. BREU
Jörg the Elder Crucifixion (1524)

20. Shroud of Turin

21. Shroud of Turin Actual Picture Negative Image
Contains image of crucified body
Hands & feet contain crucifixion marks
Believed to be the burial shroud of Jesus of Nazareth
Scientific proof is inconclusive of dating, authenticity

22. End of Crucifixion

23. End of Crucifixion
Crucifixions were abolished by Constantine, in 337 A.D.
Estimated 50, ,000 deaths by crucifixion from 500B.C.-330A.D.

24. Conclusion of Crucifixion

25. Conclusion of Crucifixion
Introduced around 500BC by Persians
Alexander the Great adopts crucifixion for Greeks
Roman Empire adopts crucifixion to control slaves
Roman occupation of Palestine uses crucifixion for religious and political persecution.
Jesus of Nazareth is crucified Friday, April 7th, 30 AD.
Constantine abolishes crucifixion in 337 A.D.

26. Websites for further information
Crucifixion as a Death Penalty -
Crucufixion Antiquity -
Shroud of Turin -