crucifixion, Method of capital punishment among the Persians, Seleucids, Jews, Carthaginians, and Romans from about the 6th century bce to the 4th century ce. The condemned person was usually whipped and forced to drag the crossbeam to where the upright was standing. The person’s hands and wrists were tied or nailed to the crossbeam, which was attached to the upright 2.5–3.5 m (9–12 ft) above the ground, and the feet were bound or nailed to the upright. Death was often by heart failure or asphyxiation. Criminals as well as political or religious agitators were common victims of crucifixion. Its overwhelming association today is with the death of Jesus. Crucifixion was abolished by Constantine I in the early 4th century ce after his conversion to Christianity. See also stigmata.
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