Special Dossier: DEATH - Contributions XLIII

Crucifixion was rarely performed for ritual or symbolic reasons, but usually to provide a particularly painful death, using whatever means were most expedient for that goal.

Two methods were followed in the infliction of the punishment of crucifixion. In both of these the criminal was first stripped naked, and bound to an upright stake, where he was scourged. After this, the victim was dressed again, and, if able, was made to drag the cross or a part of it (usually weighing 150 lb or more) to the place of execution. At this point he was again stripped naked, and was either fastened to it or impaled upon it, and left to die. In this method, the crux simplex of Justus Lipsius, a single stake was used.
The other method is described in the New Testament account of the crucifixion of Jesus. In such a case, after the scourging at the stake, the criminal was made to carry a gibbet, formed of two transverse bars of wood, to the place of execution, and he was then fastened to it either by rope or by large iron nails driven through the heels of the hands or through the wrists and through the ankles. Sometimes this was done as the cross lay on the ground, and it was then lifted into position. In other cases the criminal was made to ascend by a ladder, and was then fastened to the cross. Which one of the two methods was used probably relied on the physical state of the victim.

Thanks to PL from Holland