The convict had to carry a horizontal beam (patibulum), 1.5-1.8 m long, to the place of execution, from the place of flagellation. His hands were tied to the crossbeam with straps. According to Roman source literature, a person condemned to crucifixion, he never carried the entire cross, contrary to customary faith and contrary to many modern recreations of Jesus’ path to Golgotha.
I googled this text to find the source. It goes on to say that the crossbeam alone weighed 45kg (about 100 lbs), so he could at least carry that much of it…
it makes sense as they’d be prepping the uprights while the executed were in transit - digging immense post holes and filling them with posts and packing the remainder so it stays upright.
yeah man, I just get the strange feeling that most people, even christians who fetishize crucifixion to a disturbing degree, realize how much effort, time and site prep a good upright post to support the ritual takes.
but the romans, heh, they were engineers. planners. builders.
I googled this text to find the source. It goes on to say that the crossbeam alone weighed 45kg (about 100 lbs), so he could at least carry that much of it…
it makes sense as they’d be prepping the uprights while the executed were in transit - digging immense post holes and filling them with posts and packing the remainder so it stays upright.
It makes it possible to utilize those uprights later for other executions as well. It makes sense now that I’m thinking about it.
Have a hill with the uprights in place. Strap the condemned to their own little crossbars and hoist/mount them to the upright when they arrive.
yeah man, I just get the strange feeling that most people, even christians who fetishize crucifixion to a disturbing degree, realize how much effort, time and site prep a good upright post to support the ritual takes.
but the romans, heh, they were engineers. planners. builders.
christ never stood a chance!