The AD33 crucifixion detail in Judea

[M. Demetrius]

It could be just like you say, Howard, though a latrine dug on top of a rocky hill is not that likely. Remember that Roman soldiers used vinegar water, i]posca[/i]--that vinegar usually being soured wine--in their canteens. Using vinegar as the antimicrobial that it is would help to purify river or pond water and make it drinkable. So in one Gospel it says "sour wine". And sponges had other uses besides the latrine. But it could be like you say. The myrrh mentioned in one gospel in the water makes me think it was drinking water, as myrrh was considered a good flavor. I don't like it much, but that's just me.

I wonder why hyssop is mentioned directly. Surely there were other kinds of sticks.

Also, in spite of the Renaissance art, the crucifixion victim wasn't 10 feet up in the air. More likely, his eyes would be near eye level to a man standing nearby. Leg breaking, as Matt says, would make it impossible to push up, no matter how much a person might want to do so. And they had a large hammer up there for driving spikes, so the tool was readily available.