Hello everyone, I just would like to know if anyone know approx when Roman crucifixion started. A book or article on the web would be a bonus. Thank You

I looked briefly on my bookshelf and could not find a reference. I know I have read about Roman crucifixion before. I would like to find out more, Especially about dates. I hope an infidel can enlighten me (us).

Thanks, Offa

According to Encyclopaedia Britannica 2001, the use of crucifixion as a form of capital punishment was practiced in Rome beginning around the 6th century BCE.

The Oxford Companion to the Bible states the following: "According to ancient historians such as Herodotus and Diodorus Siculus, various kinds of crucifixion...were used by the Assyrians, Scythians, Phoenicians, and Persians. The practice of crucifixion was taken over by Alexander the Great and his successors, and especially by the Romans..."

Since Alexander died on June 13, 323 BCE, the above sources are discrepant. Take the one you like.

rodahi

I use the Encyplopedia Britainca quite a bit. But I have the knowledge that it is an exclusive Catholic source, and, thus, is quite rudimentary, period. It is unreliable.

Thanks, Offa

P.S. Please do not use www.eb.com as a source.

How are they discrepant?

I don't KNOW if Encyclopaedia Britannica 2001 is "unreliable" or not, but it IS a source. Until someone posts something more definitive, then I see no reason to doubt it.

rodahi



[This message has been edited by rodahi (edited April 29, 2001).]

Look at the quotes again. One gives a date of 6th century BCE, and the other implies a date around or AFTER the time of Alexander the Great. Since Alexander died in the 4th century BCE, the sources are discrepant by two hundred years.

rodahi

The www.eb.com is an excellent source. It becomes bias as far as the Catholic religion. When I wrote that it is unreliable I was meaning, watch out for the bias. Try to find the date of Augustus Caesar's census. It happened in A.D. 6. I could not find it using E.B. King Herod died in 4 b.c.e. and the birth of Jesus was 2 years prior. You can not find this stuff in E.B. because of bias.

thanks, offa

If I am wrong I apologize. "Just show me, any place in the Bible where it says that Jesus' feet were pierced and then I will believe."

Ernest Sparks

Psalm 22:16 For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.

To real bible-believin' Christians, Jesus is the fulfillment of the Old Testament, whenever it's handy.

I thought that was what you were thinking, but I decided to give you the benefit of doubt.
Shall we look more closely? For Alexander to be able to 'take over' the practice it must have been around before he was. Thus we can definitely say that the practice of crucifixion predates Alexander, meaning there is no conflict of information.