Thursday 8 August 2013

Day 277: Wilgefortis II- Historically Accurate Crucifixion


My drawing of Wilgefortis from yesterday was given a lot of flack for not being accurate in terms of how a crucifixion works. I decided to do research. 

I drew this based on three hours of research.

1. Romans used any shape of crucifix. The most common was probably 'crux simplex', which was an upright post with no crossbeam. They would use other types of crosses, but based on a practical reuse of nails and wood, they would use what they had. This would often mean a crucifix with less wood, and recycled nails.
2. Crucifixions were reserved for slaves and traitors. Because of this, they didn't care. If they hammered through the metacarpals, sure it was less strong, but they would tie you up. They would probably speed up the death any ways.
3. According to Seneca the Younger, people who were crucified would be crucified in all kinds of ways. Upside down, nails through the genitalia, whatever.
4. Clothing would be divided among the executioners and guards. Cloaks and outer clothing were particularly valuable, so those would be gambled for.

Bonus: Jesus was probably crucified on a crux commissa (Capital T shape). This is based on the fact that a X cross is called St. Andrew's cross. It has that name because St. Andrew didn't want to be crucified on the same crucifix as Jesus.

Based on all of this, I drew St. Wilgefortis (we remember her story from yesterday) on a crux simplex, without clothing, showing signs of blood loss, infection, and weight loss. She is also naked, as her clothing would have been removed. Nails through the radius and ulna.

A great deal of this is based on one of the only archaeological finds of a person killed by crucifixion. This was would have lived in Jerusalem during the first century. They believe that he, too, was crucified on a crux commissa. Still, Wilgefortis would likely have been on a crux simplex in order to save resources.

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