12-18-2009, 03:27 PM
I won't press the argument, but Occam's razor could say that the benefit of the doubt would go with the document, not what we think the people there would have done. In each Bible version below it says they fastened the sponge onto a hyssop stick. A toilet sponge would be already fastened ahead of time, wouldn't it? It would be easier for a crucified man to suck water from a sponge than to drink from a cup in the awkward body position, I'd think. I've never been actually crucified, though there are a few who would be willing to take care of that....
I agree about the low cross, Matt. The mechanics of putting a body up on a ten foot pole (stresses against the upright, etc.) and the amazing difficulty of raising the weight up that high just makes no sense to me. Climb a ladder to break their legs to end the event or to use the spear in the side? Naah. It's also possible they would nail the victim on the crossbeam (patibulum) on the ground and then fasten that to the upright, or so I've read, without actually having to lift the body up off the ground at all. Feet last, with knees bent, so as to put the body weight back on the nails at the wrist.
Crucifixion would be no fun.
I agree about the low cross, Matt. The mechanics of putting a body up on a ten foot pole (stresses against the upright, etc.) and the amazing difficulty of raising the weight up that high just makes no sense to me. Climb a ladder to break their legs to end the event or to use the spear in the side? Naah. It's also possible they would nail the victim on the crossbeam (patibulum) on the ground and then fasten that to the upright, or so I've read, without actually having to lift the body up off the ground at all. Feet last, with knees bent, so as to put the body weight back on the nails at the wrist.
Crucifixion would be no fun.
M. Demetrius Abicio
(David Wills)
Saepe veritas est dura.
(David Wills)
Saepe veritas est dura.
