An execution was intentionally a public act, for it was meant to serve as a warning against crime and rebellion. Predated back, at least to the seventh century B.C. and made popular by Alexander the Great. Crucifixion was a form of capitol punishment which involved hanging a person on a cross of some kind. The shape of the cross varied:
The Traditional Cross - crux immissa - (Like a lowercase t), crux comissa - (Like a capitol T), and crux decussata - (Like an X).
It was customary for the victim to carry his cross naked to the place of execution. This added shame and humiliation to his execution. (It would be wise to note that Jesus was not require to do so, perhaps due to Jewish sensitivity.) It was also customary for the execution squad to share the clothing of the victim. Wine mixed with myrrh was then offered upon the arrival at Golgotha. This was done as a genuine act of compassion intended to bring about a stupefying effect that lessened the pain of the victim. The method of attachment to the cross varied. Tying and nailing the victim were the most common. If the victim was supported only by the nails, he tended to died more quickly. As a result, they sometimes placed a footrest at the bottom or a block of wood to support the buttocks. Although this allowed some relief for the body, it was not done as an act of kindness or mercy, but as a means of prolonging the agony.
Crucifixion is one of the most abominable forms of torture and execution that the world has ever seen. It is so horrible that only Christians speak positively of it, and that only because of the redemption Jesus achieved by means of it. Among the Jews, it was especially despised due to (Deuteronomy 21:23) “Anyone who hung on a tree is under God’s curse.”
Almost any modern form of capitol punishment looks amazingly "Gracious" when compared to crucifixion.
"JESUS WENT THROUGH THIS FOR YOU & ME!"
"GRATITUDE & HUMILITY COME TO MIND!"
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