specimeat
Assistant executioner
Art has traditionally (and powerfully) depicted the crucifixion with tall, imposing crosses full of dramatic symbolism. However, not a few scholars and experts say that no way. Such tall or "long crosses" would be barely short of a small engineering project (think of stability to start with), not exactly inexpensive and filled with practical problems of all kinds ---from raising and attaching the patibulum with a kicking and writhing guy at that height, to checking if s/he's still alive or not.
The Romans were pragmatic people, crucifixions were a matter-of-factly, cheap method of execution and most possibly they used what has been defined as the "short cross", maybe 7 feet tall or so. You can always cut an old beam to do the job without building something like a ship's mast. Indirect literary evidence from the "most famous crucifixion" also suggests this. For instance, the soldier who gave Jesus drink used a branch of hyssop, up to 60 cm long in the best case. And this would be in "prepared" execution places.
For run-of-the-mill executions, maybe they just actually went arbor infelix or they used whatever two pieces of cheap, sturdy lumber available. As far as the condemned's feet are tied or nailed a palm above the ground, it's enough to do the job.
So, if the decision was up to you, what would you chose? (Please choose one and tick or don't tick the last one.) (Comments are super appreciated)
The Romans were pragmatic people, crucifixions were a matter-of-factly, cheap method of execution and most possibly they used what has been defined as the "short cross", maybe 7 feet tall or so. You can always cut an old beam to do the job without building something like a ship's mast. Indirect literary evidence from the "most famous crucifixion" also suggests this. For instance, the soldier who gave Jesus drink used a branch of hyssop, up to 60 cm long in the best case. And this would be in "prepared" execution places.
For run-of-the-mill executions, maybe they just actually went arbor infelix or they used whatever two pieces of cheap, sturdy lumber available. As far as the condemned's feet are tied or nailed a palm above the ground, it's enough to do the job.
So, if the decision was up to you, what would you chose? (Please choose one and tick or don't tick the last one.) (Comments are super appreciated)