What is the history of crucifixion?
The history of crucifixion can be traced back to the Egyptians (Genesis 40:19) and the Persians (Esther 7:10). It was also practiced by the Assyrians, Scythians, Indians, Germans, and from the earliest times by the Greeks and the Romans. Alexander the Great, after the conquest of Tyre, had two thousand Tyrians crucified as punishment for their resistance. Crucifixion was a punishment that was only for slaves or malefactors of the worst kind and Roman citizens were exempt from it. If the Jews used this manner for punishment, it was usually done after the death. In other words, the body or the head was tied to a stake and therefore, placing the head on a pole after death was also called crucifixion. From the earliest accounts of the history of crucifixion, it was considered the most horrible form of death. To the Jew, it would seem even more horrible because of the curse. “You must not leave his body on the tree overnight. Be sure to bury him that same day, because anyone who is hung on
