Video from 316 Exposure
Jesus’ Suffering and Crucifixion
"This video will present my conclusions about the death of Jesus based on medical research from experienced trauma physicians and my understanding of scripture." from video introduction
The first known practice of crucifixion was by the Persians. Alexander and his generals brought it back to the Mediterranean world ultimately to Egypt and Carthage. The Romans learned the practice from the Carthaginians and quickly developed a very high degree of efficiency and skill at it. A number of Roman authors (Livy, Cicer, Tacitus) comment on crucifixion indicating several innovations, modifications, and variations are described in the ancient literature. For instance, the upright portion of the cross (or stipes) could have the cross-arm (or patibulum) attached two or three feet below its top in what we commonly think of as the Latin cross. The most common form used in our Lord’s day, however, was the Tau cross, shaped like our letter T.
In this cross configuration, the patibulum was placed in a notch at the top of the stipes. Archeological evidence shows that it was on this type of cross that Jesus was crucified. With no historical or biblical proof, Medieval and Renaissance painters have given us a picture of Christ carrying the entire cross. But the upright post (or stipes) was typically fixed permanently in the ground at the site of execution and the condemned man was forced to carry the patibulum, weighing about 110 pounds, from the prison to the place of execution.