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[[Image:Rembrandt The Raising of the Cross.jpg|thumb|280px|[[Rembrandt]], The Raising of the Cross.]]

[[Image:Rembrandt The Raising of the Cross.jpg|thumb|280px|[[Rembrandt]], The Raising of the Cross.]]

'''Crucifixion''', derived from the Latin ''crux'' ("cross") and ''figere'' ("to fasten"), was an agonizing form of death famous as a means of execution in the [[Roman Empire]]. It involved the recipient being nailed to a [[cross]] and left to hang until dead.  The victim, always a [[slave]] or [[criminal]], never a citizen, was mercilessly [[flogging|flogged]] and then nailed to a wooden post with crossbeam.  Scholars estimate that the Crucifixion of [[Jesus]] culminated around 3pm.<ref>https://aleteia.org/2022/09/17/the-biblical-meaning-behind-the-queens-2-22-pm-procession/</ref>

'''Crucifixion''', derived from the Latin ''crux'' ("cross") and ''figere'' ("to fasten"), was an agonizing form of death famous as a means of execution in the [[Roman Empire]] but not exclusive to it: the earliest recorded case being done by Nimrod to the king of Media in the days before Babylon was founded and the Tower of Babel erected.<ref>''"...being taken captive along with his seven sons and wife, was crucified."'' Diodorus Siculus, ''Biblotheca'' Historica, 2.1.10</ref>

 

Crucifixtion involved the recipient being nailed or tied to a [[cross]] and left to hang until dead.  The victim, in the Roman system was always a [[slave]] or [[criminal]], never a citizen, was mercilessly [[flogging|flogged]] and then fixed to a wooden post with crossbeam.  Scholars estimate that the Crucifixion of [[Jesus]] culminated around 3pm.<ref>https://aleteia.org/2022/09/17/the-biblical-meaning-behind-the-queens-2-22-pm-procession/</ref>

At one time it was believed the nails were driven through the hands and the feet, but the modern view believes the nails were driven through the wrists.  The nails were more dull than the sharp nails of today.  The cross would usually be inclined slightly forward to further strain the body.  The shoulders would become dislocated.  Breathing was only possible by pushing up the legs which would cause excruciating pain in the nailed feet. Indeed, the word 'excruciating' comes from crucifying.  Relieving the pressure on the feet by not pushing would once again cause breathing to be cut off.  This cycle would continue until the condemned would finally die.  Death could come over a course of days.  Asphyxiation was the primary cause of death as the lungs would slowly fill with fluid although it was also possible to die of thirst, shock, or exhaustion.  Sleep was impossible.  Hallucinations during this gradual process of dying would be common.

At one time it was believed the nails were driven through the hands and the feet, but the modern view believes the nails were driven through the wrists.  The nails were more dull than the sharp nails of today.  The cross would usually be inclined slightly forward to further strain the body.  The shoulders would become dislocated.  Breathing was only possible by pushing up the legs which would cause excruciating pain in the nailed feet. Indeed, the word 'excruciating' comes from crucifying.  Relieving the pressure on the feet by not pushing would once again cause breathing to be cut off.  This cycle would continue until the condemned would finally die.  Death could come over a course of days.  Asphyxiation was the primary cause of death as the lungs would slowly fill with fluid although it was also possible to die of thirst, shock, or exhaustion.  Sleep was impossible.  Hallucinations during this gradual process of dying would be common.