Crucifixion As A Means Of Execution

11 Pages 2791 Words

Crucifixion as a Method of Execution


I. The Definition of Crucifixion
II. Symbolism of the Cross
III. History of Crucifixion
A. Persia and Alexander
B. Roman Empire
C. Isalmic World
D. Medieval Japan
E. Mesoamerica
F. Modern Crucifixions
IV. The Crucifixion of Jesus Christ
A. The Trial of Jesus Christ
B. The Crucifixion
C. The Resurrection













Table of Contents

Crucifixion
• The definition 004
The Cross
• Symbolism of the Cross 005
History of Crucifixion
• Persia and Alexander 006
• Roman Empire
• Islamic World 007
• Medieval Japan
• Mesoamerica 008
• Modern Crucifixions
The Crucifixion of Jesus Christ
• The Trial 009
• The Crucifixion
• The Resurrection 015





Crucifixion is the execution of a criminal by nailing or binding to a cross. It was a common form of capital punishment from the 6th century bc to the 4th century ad, especially among the Persians, Egyptians, Carthaginians, and Romans. Crucifixion was hardly (if ever) performed for ritual or symbolic reasons; usually, its purpose was only to provide a particularly painful, gruesome, and public death, using whatever means was most expedient for that goal. The Romans used crucifixion for slaves and criminals but never for their own citizens. Roman law provided that the criminal be scourged before being put to death; the accused also had to carry either the entire cross or, more commonly, the crossbeam from the place of scourging to the place of execution. The practice was abolished in 337 by Constantine the Great out of respect for Jesus Christ, who died on the cross.

The crucifixion of Christ between two thieves is recorded in the New Testament by all four evangelists (see Matthew 27:33-44; Mark 15:22-32; Luke 23:33-43; John 19:17-30). The significance of the crucifixion has been a subject for theological discussion throughout church history. (Microsoft E...