Crucifixion: The Process and the Monstrous Logic Behind It

One of the Romans' most lasting legacies is the cross: a tool of unimaginable suffering that has become, for billions of people, a symbol of hope and faith.

In this video, we take a closer look at how and why the Romans used crucifixion, plus a detailed examination of exactly what the process of a typical crucifixion entailed.

We also attempt to answer the question as to whether crucifixion was a regrettable side-effect of Rome's civilizing mission, or an indication of a deeper, fundamental Roman brutality.

Be advised that, given the nature of the subject matter, this video may not be suited for younger viewers or those of a more sensitive constitution. The video contains artistic depictions of crucifixion as well as medical illustrations of the harm done to a human body during the process.

NOTE: In this video, we erroneously state that, after Caesar was kidnapped by a gang of pirates, he swore that he would have them all crucified, yet eventually settled to merely have their throats slit instead, sparing them from crucifixion. According to Suetonius, Caesar did have their throats slit, but then crucified their bodies as warning. Roman mercy

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[perfesser]

No wonder the word "excruciating" has the same root as the cross itself.

[pierremauboussin]

Sometimes the prohibition on crucifying Roman citizens was not observed. I read in one case a Roman general was crucifying rebels and one man complained from the cross that he was a citizen. So the general had him taken down, the cross was painted white as a mark of distinction, and he was re-crucified.

[boatingforbeginners]

As a mere 10 year old, messing around a building site, I trod on a 6 inch nail that went straight through the sole of my sneekers and straight through my foot and the pain was unbearable, the hardest thing was whether to decide to lift my foot up or not, but i did and went straight to hospital.. believe me.. you really don't want to go thru that !

[Vox-Multis]

14:32 - the barbaric cruelty of crucifixion aside, I was not prepared for Emperor Constantine's anime eyes.

[CoRLex-jhvx]

It's so wild that if it weren't for them crucifying the wrong guy one time, the Cross would probably only be known as the most lasting symbol of Rome.

[tonyhagar]

One thing that is always missed in descriptions of this torture is that to decrease the pressure on the lungs in order to inhale, the sufferer had to raise the torso up with the legs. The effect of this was soon clear and excruciating: the muscles at the back of the thighs (the semitendinosus and the biceps femoris) would cramp. A fate almost too horrible to contemplate.

[ultrad-rex]

Definitely among the most painful ways to die in history. The places of the body in which the nails were hammered through, the hands or wrists and the feet, caused minimal bleeding and maximum pain, as intended by the Romans. The major nerves of the hands were damaged by the nails. Imagine what it would have felt like to have those parts of your body pierced by metal nails when Roman soldiers hammered them down. It would have been intense pain for hours, especially when trying to speak or breathe. This method of execution was meant to humiliate the one convicted, and it was meant to hurt as much as possible by the person on the cross needing to use all of their strength to lift themselves up to breathe, which triggered their nerves and caused muscle cramps in their legs, torso, and arms. Absolutely horrible. I would never want to die in such an agonizing manner.

[wockstantinople]

This is the channel I've been wanting to find forever. The social history of rome seems to have been only gaining major attention in recent decades and it's incredibly important to us to understand in Western countries. The idea of Rome as this mythologised, prosperous, fair society, I think, has done massive amounts of damage. Our societies are so heavily inspired by Rome in a plethora ways, and by understanding the inescapable flaws of it helps us to understant why our modern world is so cruel and fucked up. Keep up the good work.

[thestevenjaywaymusic]

It still amazes me and shocks me that the human race is so cruel to each other.

[huberthanks]

Very informative and helpful. I read years ago that if the Roman soldiers failed to crucity a condemned person properly (still alive when taken down) they stood the risk of themselves receiving the same brutal punishment. Thats quite an incentive to do the job right.

[CaptHollister]

"Next ! crucifixion ?"
"Yes"
"Good, out of the door, line on the left, one cross each. Next !"

[ballhawk]

I've found the most painful injuries I've had to get numb before very long, after which no aggravation is nearly as bad as the first shock, prior to the endorphins kicking in. So I'd expect there were probably some literal die-hard rebels who took to taunting the Romans with "Is that all you got", "A life of slavery is worse than this", or some such. And probably met a quicker death, just to shut them up. Like the fellow (in the account I read) who was pressed with stones during the Salem with hunt era who just kept saying "more weight" even as his ribs were cracking until he died and could say no more. Which incident reportedly helped bring an end to the practice, his fortitude having won over the onlookers, many of whom came to realize the witch hunts were indeed a sham.

[palsyr]

Really puts things into perspective. I'm an Assyrian Christian, it's crazy this is the first time I'm hearing crucifixion happened in Assyria although it makes sense given the brutal past and the cross symbol was used by ancient Assyrians, who later became some of the earliest Christians (others becoming Jewish even earlier and Muslim later.)

[dkvikingkd]

The human potential for inflicting suffering on others is astounding!

[doctrnic]

It's shocking how cruel people were back then, not sure what's worse, crucifixion, the brazen bull or the slow slice, I consider those 3 to be the most brutal forms of execution

[scoutfinch]

Now I'm watching this I cannot get the song 'Always, look on the bright side of life' out of my head.

[NeedsContent]

"Served the interest of the ruling class."
Little has changed in 2000 years.

[not-soprivateplaylist]

It's important to emphasize the fact that this was meant as a fear and terror tactic.

[SasquachPL]

Learning about how common this practice was, thinking about what it would symbolise in the consiousness of the population - has just led me to a sudden realisation about what the Christian symbol of the crucifix might have meant to them, how deep a chord it must've strummed in their hearts. It's message was probably a lot closer to the modern anarchist (A) than to the modern perception of the crucifix.
Christians learn that it's all about Christ's metaphysical sacrifice for us and how it freed us from our sins. But, originally, it must have been very real and political, striking thoughts of rebellion and need for change into their minds.
[just a thought; I am by no means a scholar of this topic and should not be taken too seriously:) ]

[michaelmorris]

You used the word "excruciating" to describe the pain without comment on the very etymology of that word "ex crucia" or "From the cross"