Britannica AI Icon

Quick Summary

Crucifixion was a method of capital punishment used by ancient civilizations like the Persians, Carthaginians, and Romans. It involved a slow and agonizing death, often through asphyxiation and blood loss, and was typically reserved for political agitators, pirates, and slaves.1

In Christianity, the crucifixion of Jesus Christ is a central event. According to the Gospels, Jesus was scourged, mocked, and then nailed to a cross, with an inscription above him detailing his alleged crime of claiming to be King of the Jews. His death on the cross is seen as a sacrifice, and the event is commemorated in art and religious tradition. Constantine the Great abolished crucifixion in the Roman Empire in the 4th century CE out of respect for Jesus.1234

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.